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Following the settlement of labor contracts with two unions that freed up approximately $35,000, the Board announced a proposed $103.9 million budget, representing a 2.13 percent property tax increase.
If adopted, the Board of Estimate’s 2016 budget will be a $3.1 million increase from a year ago, and up from the $96 million spending plan from 2014. For the second consecutive year, it presents no significant layoffs or spending cuts, with essential services all being maintained at or near current levels.
The tax levy increase is nearly cut in half from last year’s 4.25 percent increase and is down from 7.77 percent just two years ago.
Employee benefits and city debt ($44.1 million), the police and fire departments ($36.8 million combined) and “departmental appropriations” are among the city’s largest expenditures in the upcoming year.
The City Council will conduct a public hearing at 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 28 at City Hall.
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