Idaho Falls City Council approves budget
The Idaho Falls City Council has given final approval to an overall 2015/2016 budget of $191,657,450. Council members Sharon Parry and Barbara Dee Ehardt voted against the package.
The budget will increase property tax rates by an allowable 3 percent. According to city spokesperson Kerry McCullough, the council agreed it needed additional revenue to complete a new fire station, improve infrastructure and to hire additional safety personnel.
Employees will receive a cost-of-living pay increase, but will be required to pay the entire cost of increased health insurance expenses.
The new budget takes effect October 1st.
The council met Tuesday afternoon to formally approve the budget it took to public hearings last week.
