TOLEDO, OH -- Calling 2010 one of the city’s “most fiscally challenging years in history,” Mayor Carty Finkbeiner introduced his plan for a City of Toledo operating budget for 2010. The Toledo City Charter requires the mayor to deliver to council his budget plan for the following year to City council by November 15th of the year prior.

Perhaps most controversial in Finkbeiner’s budget outline, is a proposed increase in the refuse fee to $16 a month. It also calls for an end to tax reciprocity with area suburbs – meaning that those who live in Toledo, but pay taxes to another city will have to pay income tax to the city of Toledo as well.

Without these revenue enhancements, Carty predicts a $30 million budget deficit for 2010.

The $241- million dollar budget also includes a police and fire classe with 40 new recruits each. That move would bolster safety force ranks that have been reduced through attrition. Even Carty's most vocal critics think the new police and fire classes are needed, but the issue of raising fees and eliminating reciprocal tax agreements are likely to run into strong opposition. Councilman George Sarantou says in this time of a severe recession, raising taxes will cause people to flee the city.  Councilman Mike Collins agrees and says he doubts that council will pass or act on this proposed budget.

This is Finkbeiner’s last budget proposal before he leaves office and city council is not likely to act on it. Incoming mayor Michael Bell will likely have his own ideas on how to balance the city budget.

City Council does not have to act on the budget until March 31.