East Grand Forks is closing in on a 2023 budget that calls for a ten-percent levy increase next year. The actual hit to taxpayers will be less than that because of new growth.
Increased costs for utilities…wages…and energy are putting pressure on the bottom line.
In order to lessen the impact on taxpayers the city plans to dip into its budget reserves to help balance the proposed $12.7 million dollar spending plan.
During a work session last night (Tuesday) the council noted 2023 will be a contract year with employees and that will put additional pressures on future budgets. City Administrator David Murphy says staffing and services go hand in hand. “When you look at East Grad Forks…the size that we are and the staffing we have…we are a fair amount higher that other cities our size. With that said…there is a reason for that.”
Mayor Steve Gander says some hard decisions may be coming. “I also agree that next year if the other indicators don’t get better we will have to make some structural changes.”
Council member Dale Helms voiced concerns over a ten-percent increase saying taxpayers cannot afford increases year after year. Helms fears higher taxes will slow city growth.
East Grand Forks has a Truth and Taxation hearing set for December 6th. The deadline for approving a budget is December 28th.
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