WEST BURLINGTON — The City Council began budget workshopping in earnest Wednesday, and already council members are trying to find ways to lessen an increase to the city's property tax levy.

City Manager Dan Gifford had a memo giving an overview of this year's budget difficulties. Gifford sees a need for more reserves in the general fund, a possibility of losing state back-fill dollars and the budget implications of adding a police officer last year.

"I am recommending increasing the levy to $10.29/$1,000 this year," Gifford wrote in the memo.

West Burlington's property tax levy is currently $10 per $1,000 of taxable value.

The budget plans Gifford and Treasurer Leslie Sattler brought the council are an early draft. The pair said much of the information combed over in the meeting was put together earlier that day.

And so, things are already changing. In talks with Fire Chief Shaun Ryan, Councilman Rod Crowner sought out a cut that Gifford said might be a candidate for lowering the levy increase. Crowner was outspoken in doing so.

"I'm sorry, and I like you a lot, but there's no way I'm going to sit here and vote for a tax increase and make taxes higher than they've ever been during my 18 years on this council," Crowner said.

The fire department budget squirrels away $60,000 each year for capital improvements. The idea is to save up to buy things like new firetrucks so the city doesn't have to borrow.

The fire engine they're currently saving for isn't needed for another five years, Ryan estimated. Gifford said he'd look at how reducing that savings deposit to about $45,000 might affect other parts of the budget, such as the levy rate.

The back-fill dollars' disappearance is feared in municipalities around the state. The amount generated by the tax increase is deliberately set to match amounts potentially lost by a state change.

"You could say that the actions of the state of Iowa is a direct cause of the tax increase," Gifford said.

West Burlington is projected to end the year with 15.08 percent of annual expenditures in its reserves. Gifford is pushing for closer to 20 to 25 percent. The state minimum is 15 percent.