Burlington residents will feel the impact of the city's new budget in their checkbooks.
The city council has given final approval to the city's $49.9-million spending plan for the fiscal year that begins July 1.
City Manager Jim Ferneau says the budget is roughly $3-million smaller than the current spending plan due to a reduction in capital projects.
The 2013/2014 budget requires a $0.75 increase in the property tax rate, hikes to several user/service fees and the adoption of a new 3% franchise fee on local utility bills.
Ferneau says this is just a step in Burlington's 5-year plan to eliminate deficits.
He says multiple accounts have carried deficits for years because money was transferred throughout past budgets to cover the shortfalls.
The 2013/2014 budget also eliminates the funding for about a dozen positions, most of which are already vacant, and cuts money to the library and public transportation.
Mayor Jim Davidson voted against the budget because he felt more cuts were needed.
Ferneau hopes the spending plan will prevent further reductions in Burlington's credit rating.
