Baxter Budget Includes Salary Increase, No Tax Hike

Baxter aldermen approved the first reading of the new fiscal year budget Thursday.

Mayor John Martin said residents will not be facing a tax increase.

“Our property tax is going to stay the same,” Martin said. “Of course, I’m a person that feels good about the people working for the city of Baxter. We’re giving another increase to all of our employees this year.”

Martin said it marks the third across-the-board salary increase in as many years for city employees. The tax rate will remain at $1.39.

“We feel like everything is going good with all the businesses going in and the projections we’ve got,” Martin said.

The budget includes funding for a new garbage truck and garbage cans for each resident. The board approved the purchase of the new truck on Thursday.

The city will hold a public hearing for the proposed budget in the near future followed by the second and final reading of the ordinance.