The Portage City Council has approved their 61.1-million dollar budget for the coming fiscal year, but not before one final debate over a proposal to double the size of their fund balance.

Two council members would have preferred to use the money to pay down some of the city’s debt.But the Majority felt that with several revenue streams threatened and the elimination of the property tax looming, it was a good idea to pump up the rainy day fund for now as a cushion, and let future councils decide what to do with the money when they have better information.

This year’s budget calls for a small reduction in taxes for homeowners.