Much of the Galesburg City Council’s annual budgeting process was finalized Monday night with the approval of a tax levy and budget. The $9.4 million levy increase is an increase of 1.19 percent over last year, but the rate will go down 1.9 cents due to rising Equalized Assessed Value of properties. The council also approved the annual classification and salary schedule. The salary schedule enacts the 2.5 percent employee increase and amends schedule to make changes to positions, some of those related to Illinois’ minimum wage beginning to rise next year. The deputy fire chief position is being created to replace the fire marshal position. Galesburg’s new fire chief Randy Hovind served as fire marshal until his hiring last month. The schedule also includes the elimination of the Police Captain position with a deputy police chief role which Rod Riggs will serve in.