OTTAWA — The Ottawa city staff continues to massage next year’s budget. At Monday’s work session, City Commissioner Gene Ramsey reiterated that he wants the staff to cut a proposed property tax increase of 1.7 mills to less than one mill. City finance officer Scott Bird said he’s been preparing a budget that meets Ramsey’s wish, but Bird said he’s continuing to recommend that the commission approve the 1.7 mill increase. To get under the mill, Bird said he will have to cut street and sidewalk work for next year, cut back on equipment reserves, eliminate modest pay raises for city employee, and scale back what the city gives to other community service agencies.
Wednesday, July 28, 8 a.m.
