At it’s final meeting of the year, December 21, the City Council voted 6-1 to approve a $19,553,000 tax levy, an increase of $571,000, which means a 2.92% tax increase for Rye City residents next year. Councilwoman Suzanna Keith was the lone no vote.

 

At it’s final meeting of the year, December 21, the City Council voted 6-1 to approve a $19,553,000 tax levy, an increase of $571,000, which means a 2.92% tax increase for Rye City residents next year. Councilwoman Suzanna Keith was the lone no vote.

 

When the evening’s discussion began, the number on the table was 3.31%, the amount recommended by the City Manager and Comptroller after months of review and workshops.

 

While Mayor Doug French agreed City staff had put forth a “good” budget, he proposed additional cuts in expenses and revised projections on certain revenues. He recommended increasing sales tax revenue and traffic fine revenue projections and reducing Fire Department and Public Works materials and supplies. These actions reduced the budget by $75,000. The Council voted for the Mayor’s resolution, after consider several others.

 

Councilman Joe Sack’s resolution would also have meant a 2.92% increase but his put money back in revenue projections for building fees ($32,000). “The economy doesn’t seem to have negatively affected construction in Rye,” he said. Sack recommended raising revenue expectations and putting those additional funds into the Contingency Fund.

 

Rather than increase the fees for metered parking, Councilwoman Catherine Parker urged the Council to increase traffic safety enforcement.