JOHNSTON — The Town Council on Monday night approved the fiscal 2010 budget, which carries a 3-percent increase in the residential property tax rate, as taxpayers begged officials to take more aggressive steps to curb the costs of local government.

Mayor Joseph M. Polisena had requested a $90.7-million budget for the fiscal year that begins on Wednesday. The spending plan represents a $3.2-million reduction from the fiscal 2009 budget, primarily because of a $3.5-million decline in state aid.

The council, in a 5-to-0 vote, approved the mayor’s request intact. It will increase the tax rate by 58 cents, to $19.49 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, Finance Director Joseph Chiodo said.

The vote followed more than two hours of lively discussion, with officials blaming the tax increase on those in state government who have decided to slash aid to cities and towns. They also joined Polisena in rapping the federal government for requiring costly education mandates without offering any financial support.

“Whitehouse and Reed we don’t need,” said Councilman Ernest F. Pitochelli, referring to the state’s two U.S. senators. “Rhode Island can’t win with Kennedy and Langevin,” he added, referring to the state’s congressmen.

Councilman Joseph Wells suggested it might make good financial sense to ignore various spending mandates.

“What are they going to do?” he said. “Put us all in jail?

“These unforeseen mandates are killing the average taxpayer,” Wells said. “There’s no doubt about it.”

Resident John Dubois said he feels the effects. He warned Polisena not to change the trash pickup from once a week to once every two weeks to save money.

“I will deliver it,” Dubois said. “I’m not going to deliver it to the landfill. I’m going to deliver it to the front steps of Town Hall.”

“We’re not getting a reduction in taxes but we’re getting a reduction in services,” Dubois said.

Leonard Richard, an 82-year-old retired construction worker, begged Polisena to keep taxes from increasing.

“You have to put the brakes on here, man,” he said. “I’ll be living in a tent down on Pine Street.”

mreynolds@projo.com