MERRILL, WI (WSAU) — The Merrill City Council will take up the city’s 2019 budget during a special meeting Wednesday night at City Hall.
At stake will be the fate of a proposed five percent hike in the city’s property tax rate, which Mayor Derek Woellner has voted. “I believe that a 3% increase is attainable and more palatable for those with frugal tastes,” Woellner said.
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The council would need a two-thirds majority vote to override Woellner’s decision.
As many as 150 petition signatures have been collected from residents against the hike. Mayor Woellner has promised as part of his tenure that he won’t veto something based on a citizen petition. However, he does value the input and said he wanted to collect at least 50 signatures first to make sure he hears from a percentage of the population.
Tonight’s meeting begins at 6:15 in the city council chambers.
