GF Budget

Grand Forks Mayor Mike Brown presented his proposed 2013 budget to the city council last night suggesting the general fund budget can be balanced without a mill levy increase.   However that doesn’t mean local taxes won’t be going up.   The budget includes a one mill increase for planning of a future southeast fire station and a possible another half mill increase to help fund a library wage bump– which is still being reviewed.   In addition utility rates will climb nearly four-percent -- or two-dollars-38 cents for the average user.   The proposed changes will mean the owner of a 100-thousand dollar home will see a city property tax bill of  497-dollars-57 cents.  Mayor Brown says the spending plan tries to control costs for residents while maintaining a high quality of service to the community.   The council is expected to give preliminary approval to a budget on September fourth.