John Mason is reporting in the Register Star Hudson's Board of Estimate and Apportionment has recommended a tax increase of 2.97 percent next year, over the objections of Mayor William H. Hallenbeck Jr. The Board of Estimate and Apportionment is composed of the city treasurer, Common Council President and the mayor. The mayor presented the proposed 2015 city budget to the Common Council, Mon., Nov. 10, but used much of his speech to urge the council to vote down the increase. Hallenbeck said as of Wednesday the planned increase to the tax levy was 1.5 percent, but Treasurer Heather Campbell and Council President Don Moore came to him Thursday, proposing an additional increase of 1.43 percent to establish a new capital reserve fund. Hallenbeck said, “While I agree with the concept of money reserves, I will not burden taxpayers with additional taxes greater than the originally agreed 1.5 percent for this purpose, regardless of the amount.” A public hearing on the budget will be held Tues., Nov. 18. Council must vote on the spending plan before Nov. 30. Read the full story in the Register Star.