CRANSTON — There were no easy answers last week as the mayor, City Council, School Committee and members of the local State House delegation met to discuss a looming budget deficit, but when they finished, it was clear that people at least had some ideas on where to save money.

Council President Aram G. Garabedian said the city could save millions by raising employees’ share of health insurance costs.

Others said the city needs to do better at consolidating services and buying in bulk with other cities and towns.

Still others said the city, along with other communities, needs to push for a school funding formula and oppose unfunded school mandates.

With state officials talking about cutting local aid and the School Department projecting a deficit that could be as high as $10.8 million if aid is in fact cut, the special Thursday night meeting at Western Hills Middle School took on a somber tone as officials gathered on the auditorium stage.

Garabedian said he called the meeting because he wants people to know what the city is facing.

According to figures discussed at the meeting, even if the city sought the largest allowable tax increase for the coming year, it would only provide about $7 million — not enough to erase the projected deficits. And Cranston already has one of the highest property tax rates in the state, with the average taxpayer paying $3,400, said Stephen Woerner, the council’s internal auditor.

Garabedian said health insurance co-shares could yield the biggest savings. According to Woerner’s figures, the co-shares range from 3 percent for some school employees to 20 percent for school administrators and other groups, such as laborers.

If all city employees paid 20 percent, the city could save $4.9 million, and it could save another $718,000 if all city and school employees went with one carrier, according to Woerner’s figures.

“I, for one, feel that is one of the areas where we need help,” Garabedian said.

The city is negotiating new contracts with several unions and seeking concessions from firefighters, who have an existing contract. Paul Valletta Jr., president of the firefighters union, said members have agreed to some concessions, which would save the city about $600,000 during the current fiscal year and another $700,000 next year.

The meeting opened with a presentation by Woerner, who said personnel costs account for 87 percent of the school budget and 65 percent of the city budget. This year’s combined school and city budget totals $230 million, with $125.5 million, or about 55 percent, going to the schools.

The stated intent of the meeting was to find solutions and avoid casting blame, but there was some occasional finger pointing. Frank J. Flynn, representing the Cranston teachers union, said, for instance, that the School Department’s 55-percent share of the budget is low compared with other cities and towns. In Warwick, the figure is 64 percent, he said.

While the stage was mostly reserved for current office holders, people who were just elected were also invited, and many sat at tables lined along the front of the stage.

Mayor-elect Allan W. Fung asked several questions about Woerner’s figures, including those on revenues and whether they are holding steady despite the weak economy. Woerner said property tax receipts are strong but revenues related to the building industry are down.

Garabedian was not sure if the current council will hold another special meeting, but he said the discussion, if nothing else, got people talking and thinking about what will have to be done as the new mayor and council take office and a new session opens for the General Assembly.

Fung, who takes office on Jan. 5, last week announced a transition team that will “analyze all city departments and make recommendations on how to streamline operations and reduce costs.”

He said before the meeting that his goal is to take a broad look at each department, see how it runs and get a handle on issues and needs, with finances being a big part of the review.

“We’re facing some very challenging times,” he said.

redgar@projo.com