2013 Budget Announced
By: Charlie De Mar
Updated: September 21, 2012
Mayor Tom Henry's proposed budget asks for the highest amount of property tax revenue permitted by the state raising the annual levy to about 112 million dollars compared to 106 million this year.
"We are just asking for what the state said we could have again that converts to $2 per household," said Henry.
The proposed plan includes a 140 million dollar plus spending plan and a state approved tax increase of 2.8 percent in addition to any tax increases not taken in previous years.
"For five years in a row we've been given the citizens a balanced, it was a flat budget now we are asking for a bit of an adjustment that's allowed by the state in order to meet the changes in the economy," said Henry.
Mayor Henry says that if the tax increase does not get approved other departments could be facing serious cuts.
" Last year they allowed it and the city council and I said we really didn't need it last year so we didn't take it this year we are telling city council we need that adjustment in order to make ends," said Henry.
The proposed budget also calls for a two percent increase to all city workers.
Mayor Henry also added that he did not want to use cash reserves in lieu of a tax increase saying that it would be irresponsible to bring the reserves any lower.
The proposed budget will be presented to the City Council on Tuesday and the council will then review the budget and vote on it on October 23rd.
