During the first city meeting of the New Year, Manager Rachael Tabelski threw down a gauntlet of sorts about the impending budget before the usual departmental requests and line-by-line reviews by City Council.
“We’re looking to lower the rate by 50 cents,” she said at this week’s council meeting, clarifying that it’s 50 cents per $1,000 assessed value.
If council follows through with that recommendation, with no changes to property assessments, the tax rate would go from $8.96 to $8.46 per $1,000 assessed value, or $846 a year. That would be a $50 yearly decrease from the current tax rate at the same property valuation.
There are five budget sessions lined up before council is to adopt a final version, and a public hearing will be scheduled for questions and comments from city residents.
City leaders agreed to alter the meeting schedule so that when there are both council and budget meetings on the same dates, the council meeting will be at 5 p.m., followed by a budget session at 6 p.m.
The schedule is as follows:
- City Council meeting at 5 p.m., followed by budget revenue discussion at 6 p.m. Jan. 27
- Budget work session at 6 p.m. Feb. 4 to discuss fire, general government and administrative
- Budget work session at 6 p.m. Feb. 6 to discuss police and DPW
- City Council at 5 p.m., followed by budget work session at 6 p.m. Feb. 10 to discuss water and wastewater
- Budget work session at 6 p.m. Feb 13 if needed
