Recession, in election year, is driver of tight budget, officials say

5% in more property taxes in this tough economy?!  This budget is so full of wasteful spending and does not cut enough - instead - it adds.  C'mon Dave - who are you fooling????

In a tough economy and election year, Mayor Dave Cieslewicz's proposed $247 million operating budget for 2011 offers the fourth lowest spending increase in 15 years.

The 3 percent property tax levy increase — slightly more than the 2.9 percent disclosed by the mayor's office on Monday — is the second lowest during that period, but it will increase taxes on the average $241,217 home by $93.45, or 4.8 percent.

The tight budget for 2011 results from three harsh economic years, not politics, said Cieslewicz, who has not announced a decision on whether to seek a third, four-year term this spring.

The election "doesn't really enter into my calculation much," he said.

Veteran Downtown Ald. Mike Verveer, 4th District, partially disagreed.

"This is an election year budget. No doubt about it," Verveer said of the low spending and tax increases. "But one difference now, we are dealing with a real recession in our community."

Small tax base, new costs