Date: Fri 17-Apr-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

council-budget

Full Text:

Council Approves $59.3 Million Budget

BY STEVE BIGHAM

The Legislative Council Tuesday put its final stamp of approval on a proposed

$59.3 million proposed operating budget for 1998-99.

Ed Lucas was the only member of the council to vote against the motion to

approve the package.

The funding request now heads to a referendum April 28.

The overall budget includes a $32 million Board of Education package and a

$27.3 million package from the Board of Selectmen.

At first glance, the $6.7 million increase over last year might cause concern

for the average taxpayer. However, if the budget is approved, the tax rate

will jump by only one mill to 27 mills (a 3.7 percent increase). The increase

in expenditures has for the most part been offset by a grand list that will

bring in an additional $1.8 million in revenue this year.

Earlier this month, the town received word that it would receive $600,000 more

than it had anticipated in state aid. On Tuesday, the council had the option

to use the money to lower the mill rate even further, but instead opted to

place most of the money into the town's capital reserve. (See related story.)

A mill equals one dollar in taxes for every $1,000 of assessed property value,

which means the owner of a home assessed at $200,000 would face an additional

$200 in taxes.