Charlotte, NC - Councilman Andy Dulin says, “I would not be in favor of a tax increase this year."

A statement of concern from the Republican after seeing the city's growing needs at this week's council retreat.

Dulin says, “If the manager's recommended budget does include a tax increase this will be the first test of the Democratic Supermajority on council."

The council got its first look at Charlotte's next budget this week. No major cuts and a mild increase in revenues, but a long list of needs.

One councilman John Autry, a Democrat, hopes can be funded without a request for a tax increase, “Is there a need and will there be a request. Those are two things that are unknown. But as a city the people have to determine what sort of community we want to live in."

Autry says the city's property tax is not set to rise, nor is the city's sales tax.

But Dulin worries the city's growing list of necessities means a tax request could be coming.

Dulin fears the council's nine Democrat majority could easily shut out its two Republicans.

Autry says it's not about that. It's about working together to find what's best for the city.

Dulin says the city's budget is already slashed to bare bones. He says the only place to cut is services, meaning longer waits for road or sidewalk repairs.

He says, “We like to keep services high so we'll have to see what happens in the future and the next couple weeks will be interesting."

The city manager's budget should be available in about two weeks. The council will vote on its 2013 fiscal budget in June.