Rochester, MN  (KROC AM News) - The Rochester City Council is expected to adopt the preliminary 2018 budget and property tax levy Monday.

Staff is recommending the levy be set at $68.4-million. That’s a bump of $6-million or 9.5-percent from the current levy. The council will be briefed on the proposal Monday afternoon and then take a formal vote during its evening meeting. The final budget and levy will be set in December.

The council Monday will also receive and discuss a comprehensive report on affordable housing issues facing the city.

The staff report says the challenges in Rochester are similar in other cities, including high rents. A survey from a few years ago found nearly half the renters in Olmsted County were paying more than a third of their income on rent.  It also found the percentage was higher in the metro region.

Staff will present some proposals to consider in dealing with the problem.

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