PORT TOWNSEND — Responding to public criticism, the City Council on Monday decided to allow residents to ask verbal questions at a forum on increasing the city’s property tax.

The public forum to discuss the tax ballot measure is scheduled for 7 p.m. next Tuesday — on the eve of mailing absentee ballots for the Nov. 2 general election — at the Port Townsend Community Center, 620 Tyler St.

City officials will now allow verbal public questions and comments, not just those in writing.

The city decided on a new format after the “written question only” rule decided by a City Hall committee last week sparked criticism as community members demanded open debate.

“People are used to it and they expect it,” said Mayor Catharine Robinson.

“My only concern is we won’t have enough time to answer all the questions.”

Budget situation

City Manager David Timmons is expected to outline the current municipal budget situation at the forum, and explain why the city proposed increasing the property tax rate by $1.

If passed, the measure will boost property taxes from $1.94 per $1,000 of assessed valuation to $2.94 per $1,000.

That means the owner of a $200,000 home would pay an additional $200 a year.

Facing a projected budget deficit of $770,000 in 2005, the council placed the tax increase measure on the Nov. 2 general election ballot.

If the ballot fails, city leaders have identified a number of programs to cut to balance the budget.

They include park maintenance, the swimming pool, recreation programs, two firefighter positions, a new police officer position and a number of community nonprofit programs.

The measure needs a simple majority approval of voters to pass.