Budget staff outlines general fund plan; aldermen signal support to equalize property tax rate

Miss Holden, budget staff, presented the proposed general fund budget to the Budget and Finance Committee at a meeting on a date not specified, outlining a city administrator package that includes a 4.5% cost‑of‑living increase for employees, a series of position‑and‑title changes, and operational costs tied to two new buildings: a police headquarters opening in spring and Fire Station 4 opening in the fall.

The proposal shows a baseline deficit in the city administrator request column but staff estimated the actual year‑end deficit will be smaller than the budgeted figure. "Right now the budget is sitting at a deficit of almost $6,000,000 but I don't expect us actual wise to end $6,000,000 I think it's going to be more around that $3,000,000 zone," Miss Holden said.

The budget document given to aldermen included three columns: current fiscal year totals for reference, department head requested amounts, and the city administrator proposed numbers. Holden said department heads submitted leaner requests after…