The City Council approved raising the mill levy by 2.9 mills by a 3-2 vote at Monday’s meeting. Council members Chris Donnelly and Bill Peak voted against the tax hike.

That increase would equal just more than $101,000 in tax revenue.

Council members met in advance for an hour before the regular meeting to discuss the budget after two previous discussions.

Jim Truesdell stood firm that the increase was important to help in properly paying employees with merit increases.

Donnelly voiced concern that cuts needed to be made. Though he said he didn’t have some grand solution, he said the council was planning to increase taxes more in two years than it had in the previous 10.

The council picked up conversation during the regular meeting, eventually taking roll call for what would be a narrow vote.

The increase amounts to about $69 in additional property taxes for a home with property valuation of $200,000. For a home valued at $150,000, that amount is about $51 and for a home valued at $100,000, the increase would be about $34.

Commercial properties are taxed at double the rate of residential areas.

The council will have a budget hearing next month at which time residents can voice their opinions about the proposed mill levy rate. The proposed budget will be published in two editions of The Mirror before the hearing takes place.

Council OKs church plans

The council unanimously approved replatting of land along U.S. Highway 24-40 for a future church.

Cornerstone Family Worship plans to build a new church on 11 acres east of Smiley Road along U.S. 24-40 where the Sunset Motel currently sits.

The church currently is at 128 E. Sixth St., but has outgrown its space. It instead meets for Sunday services at the Tonganoxie Performing Arts Center on the Tonganoxie High School campus.

Rev. Ron Swaim said the church previously had planned to build on land a few miles east of Tonganoxie on the south side of U.S. 24-40 before pursuing plans inside the city limits.

City Council approves library appointments

The Tonganoxie City Council approved library board president Dave Frese’s recommendations to appoint to library board members. The council approved Steve Skeet and Lisa Christensen as new library board members. Skeet is a local real estate agent, while Christensen serves as a secretary at Tonganoxie High School.