The Cape Elizabeth School Board will present a proposed $24.3 million budget to the Town Council’s finance committee on Tuesday, offering a 2016-17 spending plan that’s up nearly $751,000, or 3.2 percent, over the budget ending June 30.

The council also is considering a $12.3 million municipal budget proposal for fiscal year 2017 that’s nearly $444,000, or 3.8 percent, higher than the current spending plan, said Town Manager Mike McGovern. The county assessment is up more than $75,000, or 6.4 percent, to $1.2 million.

The municipal budget proposal calls for fee increases of $5 to $15 for some group and commercial uses at Fort Williams Park, including the picnic shelter, the Ship Cove platform and tour bus parking.

Tuesday’s committee meeting starts at 7 p.m. at Town Hall. The council plans to hold a public hearing on the proposed budgets on May 9, followed by a vote on May 19.

The combined municipal, school and county spending plans would increase the property tax rate by 60 cents, or 3.5 percent, from $16.88 to $17.48 per $1,000 of assessed property value.

At that rate, the annual tax bill on a home valued at $300,000 would increase $180, or 3.5 percent, from $5,064 to $5,244.

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The town will hold a school budget validation vote on June 14, along with a referendum on a proposal to borrow $1.4 million to upgrade the solid waste transfer station.

Town officials say the recommended redesign would make the 37-year-old transfer station safer, more accessible, more efficient and more economical. It would replace the station’s large, below-ground-level hopper with several smaller, drive-by compactors.

The school board is expecting to receive $2.6 million in state education aid in 2016-17. The board is expected to ask the council to let the school district keep any additional state aid that it might receive so it can be used for future educational needs, rather than dedicate any overage to tax relief.

 


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