Kleis Pitches Decrease in Spending in 2014 Budget

ST. CLOUD -- St. Cloud homeowners would likely see no increase in the city portion of their property taxes under a 2014 budget proposal by Mayor Dave Kleis.

The $67.2-million budget proposal is a 4% decrease from this year's spending package. It means the tax levy would remain flat at $15.2-million.

But, Kleis says an increase of $1.7-million in Local Government Aid will help pay for employee raises, health care increases and nine new squad cars.

Kleis says the decrease in spending comes in the form of reduced debt service. He says the operating budget for the city will look very familiar to the 2013 budget.

The mayor also says there is also good news when looking at property tax valuations. He says the statistics show they are leveling off after years of falling due to the recession.