In the city of Mandan's 2010 budget, home property taxes will plateau for many, but water rates will climb.

City Finance Director Greg Welch said the city will spend $27.1 million on its annual operations. The city's mill value increased from $37,651 to $40,133.

The city will levy $3.94 million, with 98.1 mills distributed as follows:

n 80.27 mills go to the general fund ($3.21 million);

n 7 mills are for the Morton/Mandan Public Library ($280,938);

n 4 mills go to the Mandan Airport Authority ($160,536);

n 1.48 mills are levied for cemetery operations ($59,297);

n 2 mills go for Mandan's share of Bis-Man Transit ($80,268);

n 1.71 mills for Liberty Memorial Bridge ($68,541).

The city's final budget hearing is set for 5:30 p.m. Sept. 29 at Mandan City Hall.

Home taxes

Welch said taxes on a home valued at $150,000 would only increase by 3 cents. "It's basically flat," he said. "We're not expecting to generate new tax dollars on an existing home that only goes up 4 percent in value." Homes that have a larger value increase will be taxed more.

Property values within the city increased an average of about 6.6 percent, including commercial and residential properties. Welch notes some properties are coming back into the tax rolls after their exemptions expire, and this will help keep other home taxes down.

Utility bills

Welch said residents will average about a $3 increase on monthly utility bills in 2010.

Rate changes are:

n A $1 increase in monthly base rates for the water utility.

n A 10-cent increase per 100 cubic feet for volume charge on water.

n A $1 base increase for monthly storm water rates.

These will help pay for scheduled projects within Mandan's master plan for water projects.

The extra $1 for the storm water will be used to offset the city's ongoing repairs of the city's storm water system.

Slight raise

The city has set aside $109,000 for 2.5 percent in merit wage increases. Health insurance costs will jump $145,450 for the 110 employees.

Road work

Sunset Drive will get $125,000 in mill and overlay work. Long-term repairs, for $5.2 million, will wait until 2012, when more federal funds are banked.

Third Street repairs have been moved to 2010, but costs are unknown.

Equipment

Among the line items requested are:

n A used truck for grass hauling at the landfill for $65,000.

n $3,000 for a lawn mower at the landfill.

n $275,000 for a loader at the landfill.

n $54,000 to replace two police vehicles.

n $6,500 has been budgeted for carpet at Fire Station No. 1.

n $36,250 has been requested for routine computer equipment.

New positions

A new parking enforcement person will cost the city $24,717, and a part-time assessor has been hired for another $19,000.

Infrastructure

Some $4.2 million will be spent on a residual management facility for the city's water plant.

Another $80,000 is for the dredge river and inspection intake building.

A $220,000 communications tower will be built in southeast Mandan at the new water tower to boost emergency services. The city's share of the project will only be about $45,000 because of a public safety grant.

Sales tax

Mandan's sales tax brings in about $1.4 million a year - $590,000 to offset property taxes, $250,000 for its growth fund (economic development), $100,000 for the Job Development Authority, $139,000 on debt service to the Community Center, and $727,000 for street work, $40,250 for Water and Sewer District 52 and $75,000 for an operating subsidy.

Some $60,000 has been earmarked for a retail incubator for entrepreneurial business start-ups.

Other revenue

A 2 percent occupancy tax raises $41,500 for the city. About 90 percent goes to the Bismarck-Mandan Convention and Visitors Bureau and 10 percent is for the Community Center.

A 1 percent restaurant and lodging tax generates about $263,650. The fund is used to promote and attract visitors to the city. Many requests have come from the park district in the past, but a larger project request is pending. It gives $10,000 to the Veterans Memorial Ball Park and helps maintain city's electronic marquees.

The budget also may be viewed at www.cityofmandan.com.

(Reach reporter LeAnn Eckroth at 250-8264 or leann.eckroth@;bismarcktribune.com.)