City leaders signed off on a $1.82 billion spending plan Monday that adds dozens of public safety personnel for the fast-growing southeastern section of the city.
It also calls for property owners to pay $6.65 per $1,000 of taxable value for the 11th consecutive year, though due to rising property values, that rate will result in about $17 million higher collections for City Hall.
The budget also includes a previously approved hike in the city’s stormwater fee – the pot of money used to repair damaged and aging pipes and upgrade systems that move water from streets to lakes. The typical single-family home has paid $9.99 per month for years, but now will see average increases each year of $3.50 per month, until the rate reaches about $21.24 per month in 2028.
The city pulls in about $25 million per year from the current fee and has had to borrow money to keep up with the need in recent years, with this year’s budget for the stormwater department about double its current fee revenue.