gneese@mininggazette.com
HOUGHTON — The Houghton City Council likely wrapped up its budget meetings Wednesday, as City Manager Eric Waara ran through the parking, water, sewer, equipment and employee benefit funds.
Employee benefit, previously planned to be raised by 2%, was instead raised by 5%. In recent years, the city had purposely tried to lower the balance rather than balance the budget. This year had already seen a higher drawdown of funds due to the reduced overtime resulting from the lighter winter.
The city did not have to perform the same level of services for the state as it would do during the winter, but were still staffed and equipped for that level of work, Councilor Mike Needham said.