The City Council trimmed a proposed property tax hike by two cents while finding savings in future retiree medical benefits reform and cutting city-funded agencies by almost $1 million dollars.
Council members met today for a 31/2-hour long work session. They will meet again later to discuss further cuts.
Mayor Ron Littlefield proposed a $198.6 million budget for next year with a property tax increase of 64 cents per $100 of assessed value. He came back with an alternate budget that whittled the number to 39 cents.
The City Council is now looking at a 37 cent property tax increase.
As the council adjourned shortly before 1 p.m., members were wrestling with how to keep city recreation centers open. Larry Zehnder, Parks and Recreation director, said it would take $421,000 to keep the centers open.
The council has found about $250,000 in savings from other budgets.
During their meeting later today, council members will look at further transfers of funds to help keep the centers open.
For more information, read tomorrow's edition of the Times Free Press.