Sharon council members are planning to propose changes to Mayor David O. Ryan's 2003 budget.

Council President Fred Hoffman said in a news release council members have reviewed Ryan's budget -- which includes a 5.5-mill property tax hike and the layoffs of a total of six people from the police, fire and street departments -- both individually and collectively. Hoffman said the majority of council will support the proposed tax increase but will not support layoffs.

Hoffman said council members will present their changes at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the city building.

Council will hold a special meeting at 4 p.m. Monday in the city building to vote on a final budget.

When Ryan proposed the budget in November, he said the city can't keep running like it has been and he sees no other options. He also said he views the furloughs as temporary.

Ryan said Tuesday he doesn't know what council will propose Thursday; all he knows is he will have four days to decide if he can "live with" it.

"It's nice to say they support a 5.5-mill tax increase without layoffs, but it's just not practical," Ryan said.

Residents have not seen a large tax increase in more than a decade. From 1987 to 1997, taxes rose only 2.5 mills. The proposed 2002 budget called for a 5-mill tax increase, but council cut that to 3.5-mills.

A mill of taxes generates $96,500 for the city. A mill costs the average taxpayer $12.67, so a 5.5-mill increase would mean $71 more a year, according to city figures.

You can e-mail Herald Staff Writer Kristen Garrett at:
kgarrett@sharonherald.com