STERLING – Sterling City Council members voted to increase the city’s tax levy by almost 7 percent at its meeting Monday night.

Under the new levy, a resident with a $100,000 house will pay $41.64 more in property taxes next year. The council voted 4-1 to pass the increase. Voting for the proposal were Aldermen Retha Elston, Joseph Martin, Lou Sotelo and Amy Viering. Alderman Barry Cox voted against the increase.

The city raised the levy to meet the demands of soaring employee pension costs, city officials have said.