HAYDEN - The Hayden City Council this week approved a $20 million 2016 fiscal year budget, which includes a 3 percent raise for employees.

The city budgeted for three additional positions for 2016. When those jobs are filled, it will increase to 29 the total number of full-time employees at City Hall.

The new positions are in recreation and special events, community development and public works.

The 2015 budget was $25.8 million. The budget amount has decreased because the city last year had to budget for major upgrade work at the wastewater treatment facility, operated by the Hayden Area Regional Sewer Board.

The council also decided on a 3 percent tax increase. The city's current levy is approximately $1.30 per $1,000 of taxable value on property.

"Other cities in Idaho, and especially here locally that neighbor ours, are somewhere in the range of $5 to $6 per $1,000 of taxable value," City Administrator Stefan Chatwin said. "When considering the very low mill levy rate the city operates under, a 3 percent tax increase is comparatively small."

No fee increases were discussed with this budget, he said, "although some fees may be adjusted later this year as we continue to evaluate how those fees are paying the costs for services rendered in specific areas."