Whitefish wrapping up budget work

The Whitefish City Council will hold a work session on Monday to wrap up loose ends on the proposed budget for the coming fiscal year.

The meeting begins at 5 p.m. at Whitefish City Hall. Public comments on the proposed budget will be taken at the beginning and end of the meeting.

The council will review changes considered or proposed for the fiscal 2014 budget.

A $36.5 million budget presented in June is about $358,000 less than last year.

Once again, Whitefish will hold the line on property taxes, proposing no increase in the mill levy rate set annually by the city.

Because of its 2 percent resort tax that offers a tax rebate to city property owners, Whitefish historically has kept tax rates lower than most other larger Montana cities.

With a marked increase in building activity in Whitefish over the past year, the city is proposing to hire an additional planner. Whitefish expects an increase of about $55,000 in planning and zoning fee revenue for the coming year.

More seasonal staffing in the Parks and Recreation Department also is being proposed, along with a 3.7 percent pay increase for city workers.

The council is expected to adopt a final budget on Aug. 19.