City budget comes in under the tax cap; but average tax bill still spikes $108

City Councilors took just a matter of minutes to pass both the operating and capital improvements budgets on Tuesday. (courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - With little contention or fanfare, Rochester's City Council passed a $134 million operating budget and a $24 million capital improvement budget on Tuesday night.

Only councilors Ralph Torr and Geoffrey Hamann voted against the operating budget, while the capital improvement budget passed unanimously.

The year's 2019-20 fiscal year budget, which came in under the tax cap unlike last year, begins July 1 and ends June 30, 2020.

The anticipated mil rate increase is put at 54 cents by city finance officials, from $27.52 to $28.06, which represents an annual property tax hike of $108 on a $200,000 home.

After the votes Rochester Mayor Caroline McCarley thanked City Manager Blaine Cox, city department heads and city finance officials for their hard work during the budget process.