JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The City of Jamestown has proposed a tax mill levy of 24 Mills for the upcoming budget in order to maintain reserves and balance the budget.

The discussions came forth after City Administrator Sarah Heleckson reported that there was significant decreases in revenues from the state. She also pointed out that the county reduced taxable valuation to $44,130,558 for 2018.

Helleckson says the 2019 General Fund revenues will be $7,660,177 if the mills are increased by 19, eight more than originally discussed. Helleckson says even with the 19 mill levy increase, there would still be an imbalance of $604,600 in the general fund.

She pointed out that the taxable value on a $100,000 home would be $443.52, or roughly $37 a month, under the proposed mill increase. With estimated expenditures in 2018 at $8,264,778, the reserves would dip to $1.1 million.

Mayor Dwaine Heinrich stated that it wouldn’t be acceptable to let the reserves dip that low.

With that in mind, Mayor Heinrich stated that something will need to be fixed.

In order to balance the budget, the city made the motion to move ahead with propose an increase of 24 mills. The unanimous decision came after it was decided that the budget can only decrease mills after the Friday deadline. After that, the city would need to determine if a lower tax mill levy should be introduced or if budget cuts would need to be made.

The city will hold a special meeting next week to discuss the budget following it’s submittal this Friday.