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.