Walhalla elected leaders at work on a new budget

Walhalla’s streak of holding the line on property taxes appears to be at risk this year, as the mayor and council considers the dollar numbers that’ll make up the city’s new spending plan.  Early during the council budget workshop Mayor Tim Hall reacted to the prospects of raising taxes by five mills, from 84 to 89.  The city’s property tax mill rate has not been raised, officials say, for about 20 years.  And Hall blames the need to raise taxes on inflation.  He gave the following example:  an item that cost city government $1 dollar in 2001 now costs the city $1 dollar, 76 cents.  Apart from the effect of current inflation, Walhalla’s leaders are being told they can expect to see healthy increases in revenues from business license fees and hospitality taxes, among other sources.  The city’s 70-member workforce, it is proposed, is envisioned for cost of living pay adjustments. A salve could be placed on some of the city’s employee shortcomings – such as the utilities department, proposed to add a three-member water crew.