The Brownton City Council is proposing a 10 percent levy increase for 2016, following a discussion of its preliminary budget at its Sept. 1 meeting.
City Clerk Ella Kruse told the City Council that it would need to levy $391,977 in 2016 to cover its general fund expenses and bond payments, up slightly from the $387,917 levy set for 2015.
Kruse said the general fund levy actually decreased slightly, to $223,247 from $225,332, primarily because two long-time employees were replaced with employees with fewer years of service.
However, bond payments, which can fluctuate from year to year, had increases. The 2000 street and utility bond will need $79,351 for its payment, as compared to $75,160 in 2015; the 2009 streets/utility bond payment will be $25,000, down $500 from 2015; and the 2011 civic center bond payment will be $64,379, up slightly from $61,925.
Mayor Norm Schwarze pointed out that it has been several years since the city had a tax increase, and suggested a 2 to 3 percent increase in light of a proposed $8 million street and utility improvement project.
Kruse noted that a small increase would not generate a lot of additional revenue for the city.
For more see the Sept. 9 print edition of The Chronicle.
