By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

Hillsboro city council members reviewed a first draft of the city’s 2024 budget Tuesday.

The proposed budget would be $2,472,183, down from an estimated $2,823,456 this year.

City administrator Matt Stiles said the city’s 42.621 mill levy was the lowest of towns in the county, and the total tax bill for a median $90,300 home in Hillsboro would be $1,906.70 if the budget were adopted.

Highlights include:

• A 6% wage increase to be divided at discretion between cost of living adjustments and merit raises.
• A proposal to include market adjustments for some positions.
• $10,000 for the senior center, $30,000 for Tabor Central Kansas Entrepreneurship Center, and $25,000 for community improvement projects.
• A potential part-time administrative assistant to handle economic development tasks.
• Increases in golf greens fees, tournament, and concession revenue.
• Money to replace smaller equipment, primarily service trucks, and ordering a new bucket truck for delivery in five years.
• Rate adjustments for water and sewer to be decided in November.

Council members voted to notify the county clerk’s office that the city plans to exceed revenue neutral rates with the 2024 budget, meaning although the total budget is lower, the portion collected from property tax will rise.

Stiles told council members that he thought the council should talk about taking on customers outside Hillsboro that Waste Connections will stop serving next week.