Mount Vernon passed its 2009 budget Monday night after a long battle, but some taxpayers say the economic downturn and a new property tax hike amount to a double whammy on their wallets.

The $86 million-plus spending plan, which passed the City Council unanimously, includes a property tax hike of nearly 6 percent. More money will also go to fund several new jobs in the mayor?s office.

?Had [they] gotten rid of some of these positions that did not exist prior to this administration coming into office, our increase in our taxes would not be this high,? Taryn Vanderberg, of Mount Vernon, says.

The City Council president says the law doesn't permit the body to take the positions out now, as part of the budget process. It did, however, approve the new jobs in January.

As part of the plan, the Department of Public Works' snow removal budget was slashed by $100,000, and the Department of Human Resources' budget was cut by more than $70,000. The fire and police departments are getting budget increases.

News 12 Westchester was unable to reach the mayor's office for comment regarding the budget Monday night.