PUNTA GORDA — After hearing input from just three residents, the City Council unanimously approved a $43.7 million 2013 budget — along with a 17 percent property-tax hike — at the first of two final public hearings Wednesday.

The budget makes no changes in staffing levels and whittles away at some employee health and retirement benefits. It improves at least one service, expanding an Advanced Life Support service to the second of three fire stations.