Barrett Seeks to Increase Hours at 4 Libraries, Hold Line on Property Taxes

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports today that Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett is calling for a small cut in property taxes and a boost in hours for four libraries in the 2011 city budget he will unveil Thursday.

The $1.48 billion spending plan would shave $2,112, less than one-thousandth of 1%, off this year's $247.4 million property tax levy. Because the city's total assessed value has declined nearly 3%, the tax rate would rise 2.7%, from slightly less than $8.89 per $1,000 assessed value to slightly more than $9.12.

Bay View, East, Washington Park and Zablocki libraries would be open 45 hours a week, up from 35 hours now. This year, hours were sliced at 11 of 12 neighborhood libraries, running afoul of state rules that limit library budget cuts.