Evanston’s proposed new city budget calls for an 8 percent increase in general fund spending over the expected actual expenses for the current year.

Add in other operating funds and the city expects to spend $213.7 million next year, an increase of 13.6 percent over what was budgeted this year.

Evanston Now wants to hear from Evanston residents and taxpayers about how they’d rewrite the budget. What would you cut to reduce spending? How would you increase revenue to trim the proposed 15 percent property tax boost?

Here’s a chart summarizing proposed general fund spending for each city unit.

Proposed general fund spending
Over the next several days we’ll provide more detail about what each department does and take a closer look at suggestions you and other folks make for budget changes.

So, sharpen your pencils! After all, it’s your money.

Bill Smith is the editor and publisher of Evanston Now.

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