The Rochester City Council on May 20 approved a set of adjustments to the city operating budget and voted to increase the veterans property-tax credit from $300 to $400.

The council voted to accept four budget adjustments proposed by the mayor’s office that included revisions to interest income and delinquent tax revenue estimates. Councilor James Sullivan moved to raise the veterans credit; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote. Mayor Paul Callahan presided over the roll call and declared the ayes carried.

The council’s adjustments included an increase in projected interest income and an increase in the tax collector’s interest on delinquent taxes, together intended to reduce the net need from the city’s unassigned fund balance. Council members discussed the historic tendency to exceed conservative estimates for interest income and the council’s desire to use updated projections in the current fiscal calculation.

Councilor Sullivan, who introduced the veterans-credit motion, told the council he wanted the change implemented as part of the city’s tax-rate calculation process. “I’d like to motion to put the $165,000 in to raise the veteran’s credit, from $300 to $400,” Sullivan said at the microphone.

Mayor Callahan called for the vote after a brief procedural exchange and announced the motion carried.

The council’s action on the veterans credit is implemented through the city’s tax-rate-setting process rather than as an operating-line item; council staff said the adjustment will be reflected in the Department of Revenue Administration (DRA) tax-rate calculations. Councilors did not change school spending line items as part of these adjustments during this vote.

The council scheduled additional budget deliberations and committee review for capital projects and for other larger items in the coming weeks.