Members of the Ellsworth City Council voted to publish the 2020 budget, a copy of which appears on Page A7 of this week’s Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter.

Officials took advantage of a higher valuation to keep the mill levy roughly the same as in 2019.

(A mill equals $1 for every $1,000 in assessed valuation.)

For budget purposes, the city’s valuation went from about $15.6 million to $15.9 million.

The property tax levy increased slightly from 75.517 mills in 2019 to 75.936 mills in 2020.

Responding to a question from council president Mark Kennedy, city clerk Patti Booher said the owner of a house valued at $150,000 would pay about $1,300 in taxes. That does not include county, school district or township assessments.

Booher said the estimated tax rate could change slightly depending on the final assessed valuation from the office of the Ellsworth County clerk.

City administrator Scott Moore said the budget was crafted with these priority areas:

• Long range improvements at Ellsworth Municipal Airport.

• Community/economic development.

• Debt obligation.

• Drainage.

• Equipment replacement.

• Infrastructure upgrade.

• Park, pool and recreation enhancements.

• Street improvements.

• Technology enhancements.

• Water and sewer enhancements, including preventive maintenance.

Council members set a hearing on the budget for 5:20 p.m. Monday, Aug. 26, at Ellsworth City Hall.