The Troy City Council has approved a new 2006 budget that will increase taxes by about 1.48 percent and water rates about 3 percent. The budget will cost homeowners an average of about $27 more in property taxes and $12 more in water costs during 2006. The vote on the budget passed 8-1, with Democratic Councilman Bill Dunne dissenting.
Mayor Harry Tutunjian indicated that to get the budget as tight as it is now, over a dozen jobs were cut, saving the city over $650,000 in salaries and benefits. Despite that, health care increases went up to $10.3 million and retirement costs rose to $3.8 million. Defraying some of the increases, however, are a $1.6 million increase in sales tax revenue and $1 million more in state aid money.
