By JIMMY LAWTON

OGDENSBURG – Ogdensburg’s proposed $19,096,646 budget would increase the tax levy by nearly $300,000 and the tax rate by $1.04, according to the tentative spending plan.

The plan was adopted as the city’s preliminary budget at a Monday night meeting. The proposal serves as a working point as the council begins budget hearings that will be used to craft the final budget.

The preliminary budget reduces total expenditures by $163,670, from $19,260,316 to $19,096,646 but revenues are also down.

Under the proposal, the tax rate will rise from $16.73 to $17.77 per $1,000 of assessed property value, though that will likely be decreased as the budget process continues.

The annual tax bill for someone with a $50,000 home would rise from $836.50 to $885. For a $100,000 home the tax bill would rise from $1,675 to $1,770.

The total amount raised by taxes will rise by $279,493 from $4,549,095 to $4,828,558.

Taxes will make up the largest portion of city revenue at 37.3 percent followed by sales tax at 28 percent and state aid at 14 percent.

The remainder of revenues will come from fund balance at 3 percent, federal aid at 4 percent, interfund transfers at 4 percent, departmental income at 2 percent. About 8 percent will come from other sources

The budget proposal approved by City Manager John Pinkerton stated that the city needs to “continue to look at other sources of revenue to relieve our taxpayers of the increasing burden of property taxes and continue to reduce overhead costs.

The city’s police and fire departments make up the largest portion of spending with police receiving $3.7 million and fire receiving $3.43 million. Public works will receive $2.18 million. Other notable appropriations will go to general government, at $1.64 million, culture at $724,000, parks and recreation at $668,098.

Retirement and employee health benefits continue to be the most costly on the city budget.

In 2014 the city will pay $1.36 million for state retirements, about $156,078 more than in 2013. The projected pension cost for 2015 will be $1,603,477.

A budget meeting is set for Monday, Nov. 10 following the regular board meeting at 7 p.m.

The meetings are open to the public.