March 28, 2024

New Budget Approved

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The City Council approved a 2016 budget with a small 1.3% tax increase. After a couple of years with zero tax increases although the city's infrastructures are facing millions in needed repairs, the council's action on October 23rd added 30 cents per $1,000 of appraised property value. The rate will go from $22.95 per thousand to $23.20. The motion to approve was made by at-large council member Tracy Capobianco and seconded - after a long pause - by Ward 4 member Tim Conley. The increase passed 4-1 with Ward 1 member Robert Britto voting against any tax increase. "I promised people in Ward 1 that there would be no tax increases," said Britto. There was next to no public discussion as most interaction came at the previous council meeting of October 17. The meeting lasted about 5 minutes.

The new City appropriation for City and School services will be close to $180 million. Not much changed between first and second passage as Mayor Tom Rose said "this is everything we voted for during the first hearing." The council had added about $1.2 million to the budget put together by former Manager Paul Lemont and this council. Of the increased amount, some $566,000 was allocated to the school department. Other funding was added for repairs to the Crescent Park Carousel, work at Kent Field playground, and road repairing equipment. There were less than a dozen people in attendance.

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