POULSBO — The Poulsbo City Council approved the city’s 2015 budget on Dec. 17. And with it are considerations for new taxes and fees.

The council unanimously approved the budget at its Dec. 17 meeting, following a series of budget discussions and public hearings since November.

The $27,188,323 budget has a few new considerations that residents may notice.

A 6 percent tax on cable TV will be implemented. The tax is available for cities to use, but Poulsbo has not taken advantage of it in the past. The tax is placed on the provider, and is then passed through to the customer. The cable tax is only on television service, and is not on Internet service.

The council also passed the budget with the notion that it may form a transportation benefit district next year. Such a district provides cities the ability to seek grants and funding for roads, but is most popularly known for implementing $20 car tab fees.

The council has discussed to move to establish a transportation benefit district with the idea that the car tab fee will be created. Any money raised by the district can only be used for road maintenance and road projects, according to state law.

The budget also assumes that two ordinances will be approved that affect the city’s water and stormwater utilities.

Three main hikes in utility fees are assumed: A 13 percent, or $1.63, increase in base water rates is proposed, bringing that rate to $14.13. The fee to connect to the water utility for new development would be raised by $1,750, bringing it to $4,227. Monthly stormwater rates would increase to $16.43 from $10.72.

Along with the utility hikes, however, will be a new discount program for disabled, lower-income and elderly residents. City staff members believe that the new discount program could reach more residents than the current one. There are only 10 residents using the discount program in place. Staff believe that approximately 200 residents could take advantage of the new program.

The discount, which has yet to be approved, would provide 30 percent discount on utility bills for residents with disabilities, senior citizens, and people earning less than $30,000 per year.