TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Some say the city needs to cut costs, not spend more. The proposed budget is slightly bigger than the one this year and the city says it's listening to where residents want to invest.
The budget proposed for the Fiscal Year 2019 is $890 million.
The city says it factors in how much Tallahassee has grown economically.
"We want to ensure that we're controlling our expenditures, that they mirror the revenues that we receive, that we're fiscally responsible," said Robert Wigen, Director of Resource Management.
The plan includes $58 million for Tallahassee police, $29 million for public infrastructure, and $23 million for parks and recreation.
It also maintains the millage rate, but the group, Budget Hawks, says that doesn't mean property taxes stay the same.
"It's going to be higher taxes on valuations of people's properties, so they will be writing a larger check to the City of Tallahassee," said Penny Herman, member of Budget Hawks.
The Leon County Republican Party says the city's spending is unsustainable.
"The city is under a cloud of corruption, and I think they should be looking at ways to save and pare money," said Evan Power, Chairman of Leon County Republican Party.
The city says its public workshops have helped shape what the budget looks like, including an emphasis on public safety.
"Survey after survey, the commission has responded to that priority by increasing staffing. Crime is down in the community. We want to continue that trend," said Wigen.
The next fiscal year starts Oct. 1, but the city has a few more opportunities for the public to chime in.
The next one is on July 11. The final budget is expected to be adopted in late September.
