The annual public hearing portion of the budget-making process now completed, the City Council now sits down to review the spending plan, presented three weeks ago by Mayor Nancy N. Rossi. The 173.4 million package includes a $5.1 million increase from the present fiscal year, and, if approved a .97-mill increase in taxes.
By charter, the council must approve a budget by the first Thursday of May. Until then, the membership sits as a Committee of the Whole under the leadership of the Finance Committee Chairman. During this time the entire budget will be reviewed, and alterations or emendations discussed.
Under the charter, a super-majority of nine of the 13 members must vote in the affirmative to approve an alteration in the budget.
Democrat Councilman-at-Large Ron Quagliani is hopeful the council can reduce the proposed mill increase with some spending cuts, but that still must be approved by the Municipal Accountability Review Board (MARB) before it can go into effect.
“I do think the recommended mill rate increase can be reduced however the City Council does not have the final approval on the budget,” he said. “The MARB has rejected the City Council amended budget that contained expense cuts in the past and certainly can do that again this year if they are not in agreement with our actions (to reduce the mill rate).”
Quagliani said he and his colleagues are fearful the mill increase will be a big problem for city taxpayers, and are cognizant of those concerns.
“A .97 mill rate increase will increase taxes on average approximately $200 per year ($16.67 per month). The Fire District budgets are yet to be determined and an increase is likely in the annual sewer use fee that is established by the Water Polluion Control Authority,” he said.