Stewart sets preliminary levy increase at 3% for 2018 budget

Without much discussion, the Stewart City Council on Monday night approved a preliminary 2018 budget with a 3 percent levy increase.
Mayor Jason Peirce said the proposed 2018 budget was balanced, as far as the items that are supported by the general levy.
In 2017, the city levied $404,564. With the proposed 3 percent levy increase, the city would levy $416,701 in 2018, an increase of $12,137 in revenue.
Council Member Kevin Klucas, who made the motion for the 3 percent levy increase, noted that the city could lower its proposed increase before it adopts the final levy in December, but cannot now go over the 3 percent proposed increase.
The council voted unanimously to adopt the preliminary levy increase at 3 percent.
For more from the council meeting, see the Sept. 13 print edition of The Chronicle.