The Fort Dodge City Council will move toward wrapping up its work on a proposed $125 million budget when it meets tonight.

It will also consider promoting a new fire chief and beginning the process of rezoning property for a new Kwik Star store at 15th Street and Second Avenue North.

The council’s work will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Municipal Building, 819 First Ave. S., with a budget workshop.

The proposed budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1 is $125,791,791. That figure represents all proposed spending, including services paid for with taxes and those paid for with fees, such as water and sewer service.

The general fund, which is paid for mostly with property taxes, faced a $531,664 deficit.

City Manager David Fierke has proposed closing that deficit by eliminating five positions.

As a result, the aquatic center will be open slightly fewer hours. The Blanden Memorial Art Museum may also have reduced hours, and some programs at the Fort Dodge Public Library may be cut.

The proposed property tax rate for the next fiscal year is $20.75 per $1,000 of taxable value.

That is down from the current rate of $20.95 per $1,000 of taxable value.

The council’s regular business meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in the Municipal Building.

During that session, the council will salute retiring Fire Chief Steve Hergenreter for 35 years of service to the community.

It will also consider promoting Assistant Fire Chief Matt Price to replace Hergenreter.

The council will also consider the first reading of a measure to rezone property at 15th Street and Second Avenue North to a commercial designation to clear the way for the construction of the new Kwik Star store next year.