AUBURN (AP) — A public referendum on Auburn’s school budget wasn’t a tie after all.
Acting City Clerk Sue Clements-Dallaire initially said after Tuesday’s vote on the $35.9 million budget for the next fiscal year that the unofficial count ended in a 349-349 dead heat.
But on Wednesday she told the Sun Journal that an error was made when the tally sheets were totaled and the budget actually passed by five votes, 349-344.
Taxpayers advocate Ron Potvin says he has requested a recount because the vote was so close.
The budget takes effect July 1. About $15.4 million would come from property taxes, which will increase about 5 percent this year. That means a homeowner with property valued at $150,000 would pay $66 more in taxes for the year.
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