Tonight the New Haven Board of Alderman unanimously approved the 2013-2014 fiscal year city budget.
The vote came during a special meeting Tuesday evening. The board approved the $497,454,609 budget without any amendments or debates.
The new budget, which takes effect on July 1, sets the mill rate at 41.88. This is a mill rate increase of two over and will result in about a $25 a month increase in property taxes for the average homeowner.
The approved budget will preserve core city services such as senior centers, parks and libraries. It also aims to strengthen public safety by providing each of the city's police districts with two new walking beats.
In a statement, Mayor John DeStefano noted that he believed it is prudent that the city's budget preserve the core services that are offered by the city.
The budget will also provide for the recruitment, training and hiring of 80 new firefighters. The fire department has not hired new staff in six years.
