Sumner City Council members hosted a public hearing for the 2009-10 preliminary biennial budget during their Nov. 2 council meeting.

The state requires the budget process to include a public hearing on revenue sources for the following year’s budget, including consideration of possible increases in property tax revenues.

The hearing process provides Sumner citizens with an opportunity to voice their opinions before adoption of the property tax levy, but nobody spoke when Mayor Dave Enslow opened the floor for comment.

The levy, estimated at $935,064 for 2010, is an increase from the 2009 levy.

Council determined that with the increase in costs for maintaining infrastructure and providing the services needed to Sumner’s parks, information technology, administration and more, the increase is necessary.

Deputy City Administrator Diane Supler presented the findings to council and informed them another public hearing will take place Monday night. The ordinance to adopt the budget will also go before council Monday.