The Charleston City Council will discuss tonight a proposed tax levy for $2,603,460 for the fiscal year 2002/2003, an increase over last year’s levy.

“We are asking for $100,000 more than last year. With the increase in new building construction it will actually equate to a property tax decrease for most residents,” said City Manager Bill Riebe. “The amount of new construction will more than offset the $100,000 increase which is a good thing.”

From the city’s portion, residents will not see an increase on taxes, he said.

“The reason why we need more money is we will see about $420,000 in new expenses resulting from insurance premiums and retirement funds,” Riebe said. “We have to do it.”

Also, the council will debate a proposal to increase the rates of the city’s ambulance service. For residents and students, the current rate, which was set in 1986, is a flat fee of $120 each time they call for an ambulance. It has been proposed that the flat fee be raised to $150, which is a 20 percent increase.

Non-residents currently pay $200 each time they use the ambulance service plus additional charges. It is proposed that the fee for non-residents be raised to $360.

“We are trying to match the other ambulance services,” Riebe said. “This helps us actually fund the ambulance service.”

The council will also discuss appropriating $1,000 from the city’s tourism funds for the “Legends of the Game” weight-lifting clinic scheduled to be held Jan. 19 and 20 at Charleston High School.

In addition, the council will discuss donating a Photo-Spectrometer to Charleston High School to be used by area high school students.

“It’s another tool that allows kids to learn about water quality,” Riebe said. “It will make the class more fun. It’s actually used in the industry.”

The council meets tonight at 7 p.m. in the city council room of city hall on the Square.