The Marietta City Council has approved a balanced budget for the fiscal year starting July 1 with no tax increases.

The general fund millage rate is the same for the sixth year in a row, remaining at 2.788.

The approved general fund budget is $50.7 million, which covers day-to-day operations such as police and fire services, parks and recreation programs and public works maintenance.

The last millage rate increase was in the 2002-2003 fiscal year.

Marietta's total budget is $255.7 million, which takes care of housing assistance, community development, SPLOST transportation improvements, and power and water utilities.

City Manager Bill Bruton said that despite rising costs for fuel, pension programs and health care, the city has balanced its budget and kept expenses in check through privatizing, technology and a low employee base.

Bruton said the number of full-time employees will be lower in 2009 than it was in 1999 — 737 compared with 748 — as a result of attrition and consolidation of jobs.

As examples of cost-cutting measures, the city has privatized the planting of flowers in Marietta Square and other landscaping projects. It also conducts wireless utility meter readings.

The budget is provisional and might vary throughout the year as costs change. According to the city, Marietta's reserves total about $14.6 million.