In a recent government meeting, officials discussed a proposed budget of $133 million, focusing on adjustments to the mill levies for the city and the airport. The primary motion involved increasing the airport mill levy by two mills while decreasing the city mill levy from 56 to 55 mills, resulting in a total mill levy of 57.

The discussion highlighted concerns about the financial implications of these changes, particularly the loss of $800,000 associated with the mill reduction. Some officials expressed skepticism about the necessity of this loss, questioning the ability to find savings within the larger budget.

The meeting also addressed the need for a balanced budget, with a proposed cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) set at 3.5%. Officials debated the importance of setting a mill levy ceiling, with suggestions to maintain flexibility for future budget adjustments. One official emphasized the potential for finding excess funds in the budget to avoid a lower COLA, while another pointed out the necessity of presenting a balanced budget to the commissioners.

Ultimately, the motion to split the vote on the airport and city mill levies was approved, allowing for a more detailed examination of each component. The discussions reflect ongoing efforts to navigate budgetary constraints while addressing the financial needs of both the city and the airport.