The Rock Island City Council will take a final vote Monday night on next year's budget.
The proposed budget includes an 8.96% property tax increase, to $2.60 per $1,000 assessed value. At that rate, the owner of a $100,000 home would pay $58 more next year to the city. That comes out to about $5 more per month.
Sixth ward Alderman Joshua Schipp supports the increase. He says raising the property tax is just one measure Rock Island needs to take in order to keep up with other cities.
"Now we're competing against these deeply entrenched corridors on John Deere Road [in Moline], 53rd Street in Davenport," said Schipp at a recent council meeting. "This council is acting in I think an informed sobriety of the reality of the challenges."
The Council also plans to raise revenue by increasing the gas tax by one cent per gallon, as well as fees for ambulance emergency services, and also by cutting spending in several areas.