Mazzarella: Fixed costs are reason for 2.5% tax increase

Without these additional revenues, necessary services and jobs would be cut...police, fire, DPW, City Hall.   These are challenging times where many cities and towns are having to make thoughtful decisions - looking at budget deficits through a balanced approach by raising additional revenues and making strategic cuts.

There are fixed expenses Mayor Dean Mazzarella said the city simply can't get around, and that's why the tax levy will be raised another 2 1/2 percent if the City Council approves his fiscal 2012 budget of $100.7 million...When Ward 4 Councilor Robert Salvatelli asked Mazzarella what he'd have to do to avoid a 2 1/2 percent tax level increase (the limit allowed by state law) he said he'd have to cut city services, and staff, which he said are already at minimum levels.  [Full Article: Sentinel and Enterprise]