Tax and service fee hikes get attention in early budget feedback

With the proposed 2027 city budget circling back to the City Council for a public hearing Monday, officials are receiving their strongest feedback on the tax and fee hikes they have proposed to close a $6 million deficit. A small group of residents — some seasoned budget watchers, though — who turned out at a virtual First Ward budget presentation last week pressed officials on their rationale for increases to the solid waste and water rates. City Manager Luke Stowe’s proposed $349 million budget also calls for a $5.5 million property tax increase, which would add approximately $180 annually to a median-value home s bill. But residents and service users would see additional increases in a number of other areas, including a 9% rate hike for trash collection fees (depending on the size of the cart) and a 25% rate increase for water. Solid Waste Fund: A long history in the red In their presentation on the state of the city s Solid Waste Fund at the Thursday ward meeting, N