Mayoral hopeful Bill Montgomery pledged to raise taxes during his first year in office if elected to the top job in Wilmington.
The former chief of staff to the current Mayor James Baker predicted there would be a 15 percent hike on property taxes to stave off future rate increases.
The city is facing budget deficits of around $4 million in the next two years.
Montgomery noted that the city has made cuts totaling $11 million with a proposal to eliminate 20 positions over the next 4 years through attrition.
Baker has avoided tax increases in the past two budget years but has raised water and sewer rates.
He did raise property taxes in 2010 and 2011.
