Woodstock tackles 2017 budget proposal

Woodstock City officials took the wraps off of a $37.5 million proposed budget for FY 2017 at a recent city council meeting, up from $36 million for 2016. The general fund portion of the budget covering most city operations comes in at roughly $18.5 million, an increase of about 5 percent from 2016’s adjusted $17.7 million.

Budgeting officials are proposing a partial rollback in the millage rate from the current 6.992 to 6.800 as the net property tax digest is anticipated to be up 10 percent before any appeals and exemptions, with recurring revenues expected to jump 5 percent.

The budget proposes a 2 percent cost of living hike for full-time and year-round part-time employees and proposes adding four new positions; a public information officer and three firefighter/paramedic slots. Several improvement/upgrade projects are tucked into the budget, including an expansion of the senior center for $300,000 and $180,000 in improvements to the Park at City Center.