Jamestown, ND (KCSi-T.V. News) — Jamestown Mayor Katie Andersen says with City Council approval on Tuesday (Sept 4, 2012) the 2012 City Budget is coming closer to finalization.

On Tuesday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, Mayor Andersen says, at the point of City Council approval of the preliminary budget, the figures can not be increase, but they could be decrease, with another budget meeting set for later this week.

She added the proposed budget is two mills lower than the 2012 budget, an no increase is anticipated in city property taxes for the 2013 budget.

The preliminary budget contains a 2.5 percent step wage increase for eligible city employees and a two percent cost of living adjustment.

She said the city will pick up addition portions of employees health insurance under the plus dependent and family plan.

The mayor added this is the first time the city has picked up those additional shares of the policies, in order to keep the city competitive with other political sub-divisions and the private sector in terms of health insurance premiums paid by employees.