NORWICH – City taxpayers can expect a 4.97 percent tax increase, according to the proposed 2008 budget.

Tuesday night, a special meeting of the City of Norwich Common Council was held for the sole purpose of discussing the city’s tentative budget for the 2008 year. The budget totals $10,934,141, an increase of $842,706 from the 2007 budgeted amount.

According to City Finance Director William Roberts, the proposed budget will cause an increase of .80 per $1,000 of taxable assessed value. The average home in the City of Norwich has a taxable assessed value of $55,000. The tax increase would raise the tax bill by $44, for a total yearly tax cost of $930.05.

In addition the city has proposed an increase of 3.01 percent on the water and sewer rate. Currently, the average city home pays approximately $493.80 per year for water and sewer services. The increase would bring the total bill to $508.68.