Council approves property tax hike

Along with the tax hike, which would bring in $43,569 in additional revenue, the Council on Monday night approved the city's budget of about $41,451,000 for the coming year.

Mayor Maxwell said, "This was one of the most difficult budget years. Almost every department took a cut." He added, "I think the community expects a balanced budget and I think we've done a great job doing that." He said he doesn't' think the city has sacrificed programs.

Council member Ryan Walters pointed out that a one-percent increase is less than inflation, "I think our goal ought to be not go bankrupt first," adding that the city should always take the one-percent hike allowed by law, "to make sure we're not losing that ground," versus inflation.

Council member Cynthia Richardson supported the tax hike, saying, "If we choose not to take it in a particular year, and costs are going up, we loose that one-percent for that year and for subsequent years, so its a cumulative impact...a negative impact on our budget."