Black Diamond City Council adopted a 1 percent property tax levy at its Nov. 20 meeting.

Property tax filings needed to be collected by Dec. 6 to be used for public safety, including fire, police and emergency services. Adding a 1 percent increase over last year’s levy is the maximum allowed for cities with populations under 10,000.

There was no comment on the tax hike during a Nov. 6 public hearing on the issue and the council passed the increase unanimously.

“None of us like to raise taxes, but in light of the fiscal situation the last couple years, it’s become imperative,” Councilwoman Janie Edelman said at the Nov. 20 meeting. “We’ve got to maintain what we’ve got.”

Last year’s levy was $1,433,816. The increase will add $14,338, for a total of $1,448,154. That would not include new construction, state assessed property and any adjustments.

King County estimated the city’s total 2015 assessed valuation at $601,717,756, which is an increase of $53,318,513 over 2014. That’s a 10 percent increase.

Each property tax bill is calculated by the county, which sets the actual levy rate once they have finalized the assessments and individual valuations.