The Albert Lea City Council tonight is expected to vote on finalizing the 2011 budget and tax levy.

In September, the council voted on a proposed increase of $150,000 in the levy, making the total proposed levy $5.227 million.

While they can choose to go lower than what was proposed, they cannot go higher. This includes expenses to operate the general fund, public improvement revenue bond debt service, and capital improvement bond debt service fund.

The proposed levy would result in an estimated annual city tax of $387 to a home valued at $100,000.

State levy limits would allow an additional levy of about $353,000.

Also included in the budget decisions is an ongoing choice concerning the position of one Albert Lea police officer, who was kept on this year mainly through concessions in union contracts.

Albert Lea Police Chief Dwaine Winkels said the Police Department budget came in $160,000 to $170,000 in the black, so he is proposing to use some of the surplus in his department to keep this officer on for another year.

Typically, extra money within a department goes back to the general fund.

“It really allows the council to wait until they have a clearer budget picture before they make any major cuts,” he said.

This would also allow the department to keep on a part-time community service officer position. This position has already been budgeted.

Winkels said his expenditures were down because of multiple reasons, including a decrease in overtime and decreased fuel usage, among others.

People can voice their opinion about the budget if they choose prior to the vote.

During tonight’s meeting the City Council also will:

• Vote whether to accept the tentative agreement with two unions.

The first is for American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 1018, representing public works personnel.

The proposal includes a 1 1/4 percent cost of living increase, with employees receiving a step increase on their anniversary dates. The employee contribution toward health insurance will be the same, with the city picking up 100 percent of the increase.

The second is for the International Association of Firefighters, Local 1041, representing the majority of firefighters in the city.

The proposal includes a one-year contract with eligible employees receiving a step increase. The employee contribution toward health insurance would remain the same.

• Call a public hearing for water and sewer rates at the next council meeting, Dec. 27.

At that meeting, City Engineer Steven Jahnke will present an overview of the proposed sewer and water rates for 2011 and make a staff recommendation.

• Vote whether to amend the signatories for the city to include Mayor Vern Rasmussen, Mayor Pro Tem Al Brooks, Interim City Manager Pat McGarvey and Sandy Bera in the finance department.

• Vote whether to authorize the interim city manager to approve purchases over $500. The city attorney had been doing this.

• Vote whether to authorize the use of tax increment financing receipts.

Each year in July and December the city receives a payment of tax increment from the county along with the property tax payment.

According to background information, as the tax increment is received, the funds are used to either repay advances from the general funds or to reimburse developers for their own TIF projects.

• Vote on a request to block off Frank Hall Drive from Third Street to Fourth Street on Feb. 19 for the third-annual winter carnival held in conjunction with The Big Freeze at Academy Park.

• Vote whether to approve a request for a burn permit for Ulland Brothers.

The permit will be for some trees on the south end of Ulland’s pit on Plaza Street that the city requested the company bulldoze.

The trees were reportedly obstructing the ability of pilots from being able to see each other when they took off from the airport.

• Vote on the dates for the upcoming 1st Ward special election. After Rasmussen was appointed to serve as mayor, his 1st Ward city opened.

• Vote whether to sell a warning siren no longer used by the city to the city of Hollandale. The Albert Lea Fire Department is proposing to sell it for $1.

• Vote whether to re-appoint Community Development Director Bob Graham to the Family Services Collaborative board.