Tax request, levy up in city’s 2018-19 budget

    While the city’s general fund levy is dropping slightly, tax requested and the overall levy (including the airport and bonds) will show a slight increase for city taxpayers in the coming year.
    Members of the council approved the city’s 2018-19 budget Sept. 18.
    The tax request to support the 2018-19 general fund budget is rising $31,340, or 2.9 percent, from $1,051,610 to $1,082,950.
    When adding in the city’s bond indebtedness and airport expense, the overall levy city taxpayers will be assessed is .6539 (per $100 valuation) compared to .6315 for 2017-18.
    Of that total, .3987 of the levy represents general fund operations. Nearly 19 cents is earmarked for the city’s general fund bonds.    
    Just like all other county entities, the city dealt with less valuation as it prepared the budget. Based on County Assessor’s Office figures, the city of Imperial saw a 9 percent valuation drop from 2017 to 2018.
    The city’s budget year begins Oct. 1.
    Normally meeting the third Monday of the month, the council meeting was held on Tuesday to meet public hearing notice requirements.
Wage increases approved
    While most city employee wage increases were at the 3 percent level, some department heads and office personnel will receive more in the coming year.

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