How does the levy limit impact your community's services? Unfortunately the City has been forced to become reactive to things as funds are not available to be proactive. Services are struggling to be maintained and certainly we are unable to provide requested new ones. In 2019 the levy was 53.72% of the City's General Fund budget.
How does the levy limit impact your community's budgeting practices and finances, eg, your amount of borrowing? Through the years the City has transitioned to needing to borrow for most items as there is simply not as much cash reserves to purchase items or pay for improvements. As a result the taxpayers will also feel it as the debt payment is passed along to the taxpayer through the debt service portion of the levy.
How does the levy limit impact your community's staffing levels and employee compensation? Unfortunately due to Act 10 and levy limits it is difficult to address employee compensation. Employees no longer have the benefits they had however the City cannot afford to increase the wages to make it an attractive place to work.