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FRANKLIN

No tax or fee increases are proposed for the city of Franklin’s 2021-2022 budget.

The proposed general fund budget totals $26.2 million, an increase of $219,288 or 0.8% over the current year’s amended budget. Of this, Franklin City Public Schools will receive $4.8 million — the same local contribution it received from City Council at the start of the current fiscal year.

No pay increases for city staff are proposed, though the city is anticipating a 4.9% decrease in its health insurance premium, the savings from which will be shared between the city and its employees. The city plans to review its revenues this fall, at which time the council will make a decision as to what, if any, cost of living increase to implement for its employees.

Several staff positions in the city’s police and public works departments will remain frozen, but some in the city’s finance, public works, parks and recreation and fire departments, which were frozen during the current fiscal year, will be restored. The city will also return to maintaining its own grounds maintenance crews, which accounts for the majority of new budgeted employees. The city also plans to add three new firefighters and emergency medical technicians to maintain its current levels of service within the city’s incorporated limits.

No one spoke during the April 26 public hearing on the proposed budget. The council plans to vote on the proposed budget May 10.