Lawrence residents could see an increase in their property taxes under a recommended 2003 city budget unveiled Tuesday by City Manager Mike Wildgen.

The recommendation includes a 0.8-mill increase in the city levy, now at 24.77 mills, to support an increase in the city budget from $101 million to $107.8 million. A mill is $1 of tax for every $1,000 of a property’s assessed valuation meaning Lawrence property owners would pay an extra 80 cents of tax per $1,000 of assessed valuation.

Although the budget includes a big boost in staffing for the police department and plans to offer more city services online, Wildgen said in a letter to commissioners that the recommendation reflected conservative planning by city department heads.

“It will be a challenge for us to continue to meet service expectations,” Wildgen said.

City commissioners promised a thorough examination of the recommendations before they give approval.

“We’ll have to check to see if it’s needed and affordable,” Commissioner Marty Kennedy said.

“The devil’s in the details,” Commissioner Mike Rundle said.

Much of the increase goes to support increases in health insurance costs and a 3 percent raise in wages for most city employees. Some new items in the city budget:

$505,000 to pay the city share of four new police officers to place in city schools; seven officers for a traffic unit; and five detectives for an evening shift investigative unit. Additional money for the new officers is being provided from state grants.

$130,000 to pay the city share of six new dispatchers at the 911 call center shared with the county.

$106,000 to put three new crewmen on ladder trucks operated by Lawrence-Douglas County Fire & Medical, in preparation for the opening of a new fire station in 2005.

$100,000 to start “e-government” services online, such as registration for Parks and Recreation Department classes.

$72,000 for pavement management software to better identify which city streets are in need of maintenance and repair. The street maintenance budget would actually decline a bit, however, from nearly $2.07 million to $2.04 million.

$28,000 to make up state funding shortfalls for the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department’s teen pregnancy program.

Nearly $200,000 in increased spending on 22 outside agencies, bringing the city’s budget for those agencies including the Lawrence Humane Society, Douglas County Legal Aid and the Lawrence Arts Center to $1.26 million.

Commissioners will take first crack at the recommended budget at a study session 9 a.m. July 3 in City Hall, Sixth and Massachusetts streets. They will take public comment on the budget at their regular meeting, 6:35 p.m. Aug. 6 in City Hall.