ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – The City of Escanaba is set to begin the next fiscal year with a balanced budget.
The City Council adopted the proposed 2023 – 2024 budget this week, following public hearings with city administrators Monday and Tuesday.
The budget includes no tax increases for residents. However, electric rates will increase by 1.75%, water rates will increase by 4%, and wastewater rates will increase by 3%.
City Manager Jim McNeil says the budget funds many of the much-needed infrastructure projects planned for the year.
“We’re looking at doing a lot of electrical distribution upgrades, some major upgrades for reliability on the water and wastewater side, and also our streets,” said McNeil. “We’re looking at doing paving, crack filling, pothole filling, all kinds of infrastructure work. We’re being very strategic about it. We’re trying to find the most value to combine the projects in one when possible.”
McNeil says the budget also pays off unfunded pension liability. Going forward, the City Council will look into adding reimbursements for city lifeguard certification into the budget.
The 2023 – 2024 budget will go into effect on July 1.
