Proposed city budget calls for slight drop in property tax levy

By Shelia Tomkins

The Guttenberg city council will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 12, on the annual  budget for the coming fiscal year. For the third consecutive year, the new budget calls for a small decrease in the city's tax levy rate. The budget anticipates approximate expenditures of $11.6 million. 

The proposed budget covers the fiscal year from July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2019. If approved, the proposed rate per $1,000 valuation on regular property would be $14.62867. This compares to the current year's rate of $14.78261.

A major city expense for the coming year is the Garber Road Bridge renovation project; federal funds will help with the total cost.

Also impacting the budget will be the municipal swimming pool renovation, contingent on voter approval of the March 6 referendum (after Press deadline).

Other notable expenses in the coming year will be street repairs and continuing repairs and improvements to the municipal building.

City expenses for the coming year are estimated at $11,664,326, while anticipated revenues are $11,410,869. "These figures include the necessary transfers in and out of funds for projects and debt service payments," said City Manager Denise Schneider. "The revenues are lower than expenditures as we will be spending down some project reserve funds for our capital projects."

The legal notice for the proposed city budget published in the Feb. 28 issue of The Press includes figures for the municipal hospital in addition to the city budget figures.