City of Cambridge released projected 2016 operating budget
Posted Nov 26, 2015 03:05:15 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The City of Cambridge released their operating budget for 2016 earlier today. The Budget Task Force Committee is projecting a tax increase of 2.95% next year.
According to city staff, the projected cost of city services is $117.3 million for 2016. The proposed tax increase will allow staff to maintain base service levels with minor service reductions and support key projects such as the multi-purpose recreation complex and an additional fire station. The proposed tax rate increase represents a household impact of $38.00 on the average Cambridge home valued at $302,000.
Chair of the budget task force Councillor Mike Mann said, the original percentage increase they received from city staff was incredibly high, but they worked hard to make the increase more bearable.
“When staff originally brought the budget two us they had a double digit percentage tax increase, and we thought we can’t even entertain this … They came back to us today with a 2.95% increase.” Said Mann. He added, “What that does is that allows us to maintain the same level of service that we have always provided to the community, so service will be maintained.”
Budget discussions are scheduled to take place in Council Chambers at City Hall, on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015, 7 PM.
