New London ― The Appropriation Board, or members of the City Council and Board of Finance, will hold a joint public hearing on the city budget Wednesday at 7 p.m. at City Hall.

The proposed 2023-24 budget remains at $102 million, the same as Mayor Michael Passero’s proposal. If approved, the budget would lower the tax rate to 37.15 mills, a .07-mill decrease from the current rate.

At past hearings, members of New London’s People’s Budget Coalition have asked the council to increase the youth service allocation to $250,000, use an additional $1.3 million from the city’s fund balance for education, add $500,000 to the human services department and $500,000 to the Public Works department.

Finance Director David McBride said the most significant changes the council has made is to move funds from other accounts so the Registrar of Voters can add a fourth polling station, along with additional costs for training and equipment.

Moving forward, he said no increases can be made to the overall proposed city and education budgets unless eight of the 12 members of the appropriation board approved an increase.