Quincy eyes cuts, tax increases

A sharp increase in property taxes along with public employee layoffs and reduced services appear to be coming in Quincy.

The City Council on Monday night approved a $3 million cut in Mayor Thomas P. Koch's original $233.9 million spending plan for the fiscal year that starts July 1.

Koch had called his initial proposal a level-services budget that would have boosted taxes $600 a year for the average homeowner. Administration officials said the budget approved by the council is a reasonable compromise.

"It's certainly going to mean a reduction in manpower for the city, but we are hopeful we can maintain a level of services the citizens expect and deserve," Chris Walker, spokesman for Koch, said after the council vote. "But make no mistake. It's going to be difficult."

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