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GREENSBORO — The goal was to keep taxes flat in an environment of rising costs and few new revenues.

Does the proposed budget sound right? Join the discussion at the Debatables blog.

City Manager Mitchell Johnson's proposed $423 million budget will do that while adding a much-sought-after police gang unit and additional staff positions to serve annexed residents. The 2007-08 budget is $395 million.

Johnson said he did not initially agree with the City Council's request to keep the tax rate flat at 63.5 cents per $100 of house valuation, or $1,270 for a $200,000 home.

But at a time when residents are feeling the pinch of rising fuel and food costs, it seems appropriate to keep the rate flat, Johnson said.

"I don't think it's just politics," Johnson said. "It's the right thing to do."

But taxpayer be warned: Your budget might face some new costs. Sewer and water fees are projected to increase by 9 percent in January.

The City Council will hold a budget hearing to seek public comment on June 3. The council must approve the budget by the end of June.

Greensboro's public safety divisions would get new staff members under the proposed 2008-09 budget. Since late last year, the City Council has asked the police department to spend more time addressing gang issues.

Next year's proposed budget includes $1.3 million to pay for 17 new police officers, support employees and start-up costs for the anti-gang unit, Johnson told the council Tuesday night.

The staff could be hired and the unit could be ready to work by the end of July, police Chief Tim Bellamy said.

Bellamy said there are likely to be many officers who want to apply for the new unit. "There is a lot of interest," he said

The city also would hire more employees to service newly annexed residents. The city would add 35 police positions, 22 fire department positions, 14 jobs in field operations and five transportation positions.

Those new employees are expected to be in place by the fall, although many would be hired as soon as the new fiscal year begins in July, according to city officials.

Councilman Zack Matheny said he was glad to hear about the plans to extend services to Greensboro's new residents.

"We certainly want to make sure they are getting the services they deserve," he said.

The city's newest fire station, on Painter Boulevard, also would be up and running by July.

To get those new services and make up for other cost increases, the city has tightened its belt in a variety of ways.

Next year, the city would delay paying down some debt and resurfacing roads, make 49 permanent job cuts and cut staff positions at city lakes, all of which were reviewed by the council earlier this month.

"I think those were well-balanced and well-reasoned actions," Johnson said.

City officials are going to look for other ways to save money. Johnson said city leaders will start a review of the way city employees use cell phones, pagers, laptops and other technology, an effort supported by council members.

"We'll be looking for savings but also cost containment and more efficient ways to use the technology," Johnson said.

In other news, a city hiring freeze officially has been thawed, Johnson told the council Tuesday. That hiring freeze was instituted in January to divert $500,000 to the police department.

Ninety city jobs were open at the end of the freeze, Johnson said. The thaw gives department directors time between now and July 1 to get people in line to fill the vacancies.

Contact Amanda Lehmert at 373-7075 or amanda.lehmert@news-record.com