By JIMMY LAWTON

OGDENSBURG -- Ogdensburg residents may soon have to pay 75 percent of the cost when replacing sidewalks in front of their homes.

Traditionally, the city has contributed 50 percent of the cost for sidewalk replacements, but a tough budget season has lawmakers scrambling for savings.

On Monday, the council set a date for a public hearing that would reduce the city’s contribution to sidewalk replacements from 50 percent to 25 percent.

The Dec. 5 hearing will allow the public to chime in on the change. The city council will likely vote on the measure following the hearing.

According to the proposal, sidewalks must be replaced or fixed in a manner prescribed by the director of public works. If the city determines a sidewalk needs repair or replacement, the property owner will be notified. If the work is not completed within 30 days of the notice, the city will address the issue by performing the work. Under the proposal, 75 percent of the cost of replacement will be charged to the homeowner.

In an interview, Deputy Mayor Michael Morley said he’d like the city to go even further by eliminating the city’s contribution altogether.

He said he’d prefer to privatize the process. If the city were to stop contributing completely to sidewalk replacements, Morley estimated $50,000 in annual savings in materials alone. He said pushing the work to private contractors would also free up DPW employees for other tasks.

The public hearing regarding the proposed law change will be held Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. at City Hall.