RATHDRUM — Rathdrum's proposed fiscal 2019 city budget includes a 1.92 percent property tax increase, two new positions, a 2.5 percent cost-of-living wage adjustment and merit salary hikes of up to 2.5 percent.

The public hearing on the proposed $22.6 million total budget will be Aug. 15 at 6 p.m. at Rathdrum City Hall, 8047 W. Main St.

"The council tried to keep (the tax increase proposal) low," city administrator Leon Duce said. "We have not taken an increase of more than 2 percent since 2008."

If approved, the tax hike would generate about $49,000.

The city estimates the owner of a $250,000 home would see an increase in the city portion of their overall property tax bill of about $15 per year.

The city's tax increase history in recent years includes: 1.92 percent last year; 0 percent for fiscal 2017; 0 percent 2016; 1.34 percent 2015; and 1 percent 2014.

Cities are allowed by law to take a tax increase of up to 3 percent per year.

Duce said new growth allowed the city to budget for two new full-time positions — a parks worker with an annual salary of $30,160 and a police officer at $43,600.

"New growth is helping the city meet its needs for services," Duce said.

A recreation position is also being moved from part-time to full-time.

The 2.5 percent COLA and merit pay increases (if all employees received the maximum based on evaluations) equate to $48,000 each.

Equipment purchases planned include: a dump truck for Public Works, $50,000; truck for Parks, $25,000; and three fully-equipped police cars, $180,000 for all three.

Two of the police cars are part of a rotation replacement program and the other one would be for the new officer.

The city is planning to spend $15,000 for pathway projects, continuing the amount from previous years.

The city will see a health insurance cost increase of less than 1 percent, Duce said. The city pays 100 percent of the insurance benefits for employees and 80 percent for dependents.

Meanwhile, he said it's possible residents will be able to access the city's property on Rathdrum Mountain this fall, pending the Barrett Road and trailhead projects and weather.

If the projects get delayed or winter hits early, the opening will be next spring.

"We will not have people up there in the winter," Duce said.

The mountain improvements are being funded with the current budget.