The upcoming year's city budget, slated at $105,985,272, provides residents with something many have been longing for, tax relief.
The proposal drops the current real estate property tax rate from $1.09 per $100 of assessed property to $1.05, making it the largest cut to the tax in over 25 years. The proposed budget is however a 5.53 percent increase over the current operating budget. It also includes an additional $1.48 million in funds to city schools, pushing the city's total contribution to over $32 million.
In addition, the budget proposal calls for $2.1 million of reductions, which includes eliminating about 14 city government full time positions through reorganization and attrition.
Now after the proposed budget is presented to city council, there will be work sessions, meetings, and a public hearing on March 21st. The council must approve the budget by April 15.
