NORWICH – Nearly a month after holding a public hearing to discuss the proposed budget for the 2009 fiscal year, the City of Norwich adopted it during Tuesday’s Common Council meeting.

The adopted budget totals $7,416,546, an increase of $217,375 from the budgeted amount for 2008. The budget will come with a 3.02 percent tax increase.

During last night’s meeting, Sixth Ward Alderman Robert Jeffrey pointed out that a majority of the increase could be attributed to employee benefits. The cost of hospital and medical insurance increased by nearly $160,000 from 2008 to 2009. “That’s a 17 percent increase. That’s where the majority of our increase in costs are this year,” Jeffrey said.

Since the employee benefits are mandated by the state, the city has little say over the increased cost. “Everyone is going through this right now. Everybody is in the same boat,” said Mayor Joseph Maiurano.