NORWICH – The City of Norwich Common Council Tuesday night unanimously approved the 2010 budget, which totals $11,919,675.

Due to a $384,402 general fund increase – from $7,416,546 in 2009 to $7,800,948 in 2010 – the city will see a general fund tax rate of $17.89, an increase of 47 cents, or 2.7 percent. The average city tax bill will go up about $25.85 per year, on a home assessed at $55,000.

Combined effects of the general fund property taxes and water system costs, based on averages for assessed values and water usage, reflect an annual tax increase of $59.53, or 3.92 percent, which is effectively equal to $4.96 per month for a typical home.

“Considerable time has been spent on the many complex details weighing in on this budget in an effort to hold the line on taxes,” said Director of Finance William Roberts. “The result is a sixth straight year of declining increases – from 9.85 percent in 2004 to 2.7 percent in 2010.”

“This budget takes care of many unknowns,” said Mayor Joe Maiurano. “We’re not exactly where we want to be, but there’s been a constant trend downwards as we continue to reduce increases and move toward a decrease.”

On the revenue side, according to Roberts, the projected 2009 sales taxes, at $1,336,087, are down about 7 percent from 2008 and 4 percent below budget.