The debate will continue over how to prioritize spending in New London, but the 5.8 percent proposed tax increase contained in the budget plan approved Wednesday by the Finance Committee of the City Council is far more reasonable than the 12.5 percent tax hike Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio presented to the council.

City Councilor Michael Passero, who is competing with the incumbent mayor for the Democratic mayoral nomination, led the way on the budget changes. Mr. Passero achieved the reductions in the mayor’s proposal by recommending that unfilled positions be left vacant, increasing funding for the library by 20 percent rather than the 100 percent proposed by Mayor Finizio, forgoing raises for city administration officials and making some program reductions.

All told, the Finance Committee would decrease municipal spending by $120,512 and increase education spending $2 million, a $440,000 cut from what the Board of Education is requesting. Mayor Finizio recommended the council boost the city’s operating budget by $2.9 million and leave the school board’s requested $2.5 million increase unchanged.

The council can expect pushback from Mayor Finizio, who has called his proposal “a hold steady” budget that fulfills contractual obligations, maintains city services and, in doubling financial support for the library, recognizes its importance in helping improve the academic performance of public school students in the city.

Mayor Finizio does not think the city can function adequately and leave so many jobs vacant, otherwise he would not have included those positions in his “hold steady” budget. Finance Director Jeff Smith warned that the Finance Committee’s proposed reduction in health insurance spending is unreasonable given the premium costs facing the city.

Residents, however, are making it clear that after last year’s 10.5-mill tax rate increase they cannot afford the 4.76-mill increase proposed by Mayor Finizio, an increase that would boost taxes on a home assessed at $126,000 by $600. They have filled the council chambers for council and committee meetings and protested outside City Hall.

The Finance Committee plan would trim the tax increase to $277 for that home assessed at $126,000. Many will still consider the tax increase too much, but it is reasonable given the effort to boost education spending and improve city schools.

If Mayor Finizio does not like the Finance Committee changes, it will be incumbent upon him to offer alternatives while holding down any tax increase. His 12.5 percent tax increase proposal was unreasonable.