PORTAGE (WKZO AM/FM) — Times are good and when things are good for most of us, they are great in Portage, which now has a tax base of over 2-billion dollars and so much money flowing into city hall that they can afford to trim the millage one percent and cut water and sewer rates by 4%.
They approved the budget for their next fiscal year last night. They also plan to increase budgets for social service programs and significantly increase road projects.
Mayor Patricia Randall says it’s an easy budget to approve. She said she wished there had been more public input, participation and interest in what she says is one of the most important decisions they make all year.
Council Member Richard Ford says despite the cut in the millage rate, homeowners shouldn’t expect to see tax bills shrink…because home values are rising at a faster pace, and that will offset any saving and probably mean homeowners will still be sending more to city hall, rather than less.
The $77-million budget was approved unanimously.
The new fiscal year in Portage begins July first.
