Waveland Mayor Tommy Longo blames a depressed economy and a decreased population for an increase in taxes the city may see for the first time in 15 years.

If the proposed budget passes Tuesday, residents would pay an extra $30 on a $300 tax bill, $50 on a $500 tax bill.

Even with an increase, Longo says the city would still have one of the lowest millage rates on the Coast.

Longo said that the city’s pre-Katrina population was around 8,000 residents. He says that figure is still down by 35 percent.

Longo said that a hiring freeze has been in effect in the city for a while and some positions in each department will be eliminated.