POST FALLS — Post Falls is bucking a trend.

In a year when many taxing entities are proposing hikes up to the 3% increase per year allowed by law, the Post Falls City Council is expected to approve an ordinance on Tuesday that sets the city's total fiscal 2020 budget at $68.1 million.

With no tax increase.

The council unanimously approved the budget last week after no public comments were received on the proposal during the hearing.

Mayor Ron Jacobson said he appreciated that city staff held the line on spending, but he also warned that there will be a time when growth slows when the city will have to increase taxes to deliver the services residents expect.

"We can't anticipate that growth will continue at the level it is now," he said. "We're kind of kicking the can down the road. Eventually, there will be a time we have to take an increase, but it's great that we haven't had to at this point. I think the city has been prudent, and I appreciate the effort, especially on the staff side."

New positions and the loaded amounts in the budget include:

- Three police officers, $220,804;

- Assistant city attorney, $85,000;

- Street maintenance worker, $64,980;

- Fleet mechanic, $64,980;

- Turf specialist, $58,634;• Parks custodian, $50,808.

The school district will pay half the cost of one of the police positions, a school-resource officer.

The budget also includes salary increases for city council members from $9,792 per year to $10,282, a 5% increase, and the mayor from $21,459 to $24,678, a 15% increase. The last time elected officials saw a salary increase was 2012. Elected officials also receive the same benefit package as city employees.

"We need the increases not for me personally, but to encourage other people to move into the positions in the future," council member Alan Wolfe said during a budget workshop. "In the past we've said, 'Ah, let's just move on.'"

Council member Linda Wilhelm added: "If you're in it for the money you're in it for the wrong reason."

The budget also includes a 3% cost of living increase for employees.

The budget includes $588,000 for street reconstruction, $400,000 for street sealing and maintenance and $165,000 for parks construction projects.

Three police cars valued at $186,000 and a $20,000 UTV/plow package are among the equipment funded in the budget proposal. It contains $375,000 to replace city vehicles.

The council held three workshops before staff balanced the budget.