Hatch said the direction of the current economic upheaval was impossible to predict, and keeping the proposed property tax hike on the table was a way to make sure those critical carryover funds were covered in the event of further declines.

"We're seeing huge fluctuations happening in very short time periods," Hatch said. "If the mayor's office is willing to take the risk and project no further problems, and that turns out to be true, great. … But if it goes the other direction, increased revenues will help avoid a catastrophe."

Corroon possesses the final word on the property tax hike — the proposal requires his signature to become policy — and he has until Thursday to weigh-in with his pen.

In a rare division of power, Republican council members are on the mayor's side of the debate, and they urged him to veto the tax increase.

"I think, mayor, in order to keep the pressure on this council to find the cuts that I think need to be made, you need to exercise that veto power," Republican Councilman David Wilde said. "And it's my recommendation that you use it."

An informal vote to test the sentiment of the council on whether to continue to push for a tax hike in light of Corroon's new budget reductions was inconclusive.

Hatch pledged to reduce the property-tax burden — dollar for dollar — for any reductions Corroon can garner for 2009, but the mayor said after the meeting he was a little unsure of what was being asked of him, and would seek clarification before the Thursday deadline on the property tax proposal. He did say, however, that he remained in disagreement with the necessity expressed by Democrats for further 2009 cuts or new revenues via a tax hike.

"I think they were asking for something that just isn't necessary yet," Corroon said. "If you look at it from an organizational standpoint, the county would be better off (with a tax increase). But looking at it from the taxpayers' standpoint … it's an additional and unnecessary burden at the worst possible time."

The County Council will vote on several of the budget cuts, including the employee wage reductions, at its July 14 meeting.

E-MAIL: araymond@desnews.com