MADISON, Wis. -- Good news for those of you living in the city of Madison. The city portion of your property tax bill could actually go down next year.

Mayor Sue Bauman totaled the savings at $178.5 million. Projected city revenues would be up 6 percent.

On the average Madison home, valued at over $174,000, property taxes would drop 1.88 percent.

Bauman said that combined with higher revenues, the property tax drop is possible since the city is shifting charges associated with storm water management from property taxes to user fees.

The Board of Estimates will begin work on the budget next Monday.

If you want to give input about the budget, Bauman is having a series of seven public meetings at various locations throughout the city in October and early November. The Common Council is scheduled to adopt the 2003 City Operating and Capital Budget on Tuesday, Nov. 12.

Review operating/capital budget

MAYOR'S PUBLIC MEETINGS

Thursday, Oct. 10 7 - 8:30 p.m. at the West District Police Station, 1710 McKenna Blvd.

Monday, Oct. 14 6 - 8 p.m. at the Lakeview Branch Library 2845 N. Sherman Ave.

Wednesday, Oct. 16 (for city employees) 11:30 - 1 p.m. in Room 260 at the Madison Municipal Building

Wednesday, Oct. 16 6 - 8:30 p.m. at the South Madison Health and Family Center (Enter through South Madison Branch Library) 2202 South Park St.

Tuesday, Oct. 29 7 - 8:30 p.m. at the Alicia Ashman Branch Library 733 North High Point Road

Wednesday, Oct. 30 6:30 - 8 p.m. at the Hawthorne Branch Library 2707 E. Washington Ave.

Thursday, Nov. 7 6:30 - 8 p.m. at the Madison Senior Center, Room 1 330 W. Mifflin St.