Green Bay budget approved for 2013

GREEN BAY - It appears Green Bay's new approved budget is offering a tradeoff.

For homeowners, your property taxes will be going down slightly next year.

But if you're a city employee or retiree, you'll be paying more out of pocket for health insurance.

Wednesday afternoon, the city council approved the 2013 balanced budget.

It came in at more than $100 million. However, the council ended up cutting $700,000 from it.

As part of next year's budget, Green Bay property owners will see around a $.06 decrease for every $1,000 in assessed value.

"Budget lowers taxes, fills all the positions, continues services, reduces our general obligation debt, so this is the right budget," explained Mayor Jim Schmitt.

While portions of the budget may be good news for some, it's not so good news for others.

The city is spending $545,000 more than this year.

City officials credit an increased commercial and residential tax base.

The city is also getting some money from changes to employee health benefits and increased premiums for retired workers.

The total savings is around $190,000.

However, the change doesn't sit well with retired police officer Stuart Nelson.

"We pay 100% of our health care costs. If you pass the budget as is, retirees or people that are nearing retirement working with the city, are going to look at that and say, maybe I won't retire, looking at the cost I'm going to have to bear after I retire," Nelson said during Wednesday's budget meeting.

However, Mayor Jim Schmitt stands by the decision.

"The people that chose to leave Green Bay early and stay on our insurance, we're okay with that but they need to pay their fair share," Schmitt said.

While current city employees will see increased deductibles, the council did approve a two percent pay raise. It’s the first raise in more than two years.