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The proposed $103.9 million municipal budget represents a 2.19 percent property tax increase that would be the lowest in decades. The spending plan was made public on Tuesday, and taxpayers will have the opportunity to comment on it at a 7 p.m. City Council meeting Wednesday night at City Hall.
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.
A vote on the proposed budget is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 21. The complete, detailed proposed Mount Vernon municipal budget can be read here.
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