Charleston passes first reading of 2013 city budget

Charleston residents won’t see a property tax increase, while city employees will see a 1 percent cost of living boost under the 2013 Charleston City Council budget that passed first reading today.

The only planned staff additions for the upcoming year under the spending plan are four new city police officers.

The $138.8 million 2013 forecast budget expenditure is about 4.6 percent greater than the current 2012 allocation.

For the resident of an owner-occupied home valued at $200,000 and who is under age 65, the taxes paid to the city will be an estimated $480.40 for the year ahead, which is what was paid in 2012 but remains slightly less than $488.80 paid in 2011, Finance Director Steve Bedard said.