BRUNSWICK

Brunswick residents may be paying 7.12 percent more in taxes this year, according to a combined budget proposal submitted to the Town Council on Thursday. The proposal includes municipal, county and school budgets.

According to Interim Town Manager and Finance Director John Eldridge, the total proposed budget would increase expenditures by more than $1.5 million. Revenues and other sources of funding is expected to decrease by $1.1 million.

“The combination of these factors, along with virtually no growth in the general fund property tax base, results in a tax rate increase of approximately 7.12 percent,” Eldridge wrote in his budget proposal.

“As far as I’m concerned, 7.12 percent is too high,” said Sarah Brayman, vice chairwoman of the council.

The council will soon begin deliberations as to how to lower that figure, said Brayman, but added that there is no consensus as to how much of an increase would be acceptable.

“I want to look for savings across the board,” Brayman said.

The municipal increase in the budget amounts to $1.25 million, or 3.43 percent.

According to Eldridge, the municipal portion of the budget does not include any new programs or services. Cuts to programs and services would be needed to substanially reduce the proposed budget.

The total proposed budget would increase expenditures and uses by $1,469,494, an increase of 2.55 percent. However, revenues and sources are projected to decrease by $1,158,931, or 5.23 percent.

The council may be limited as to what it can cut. Union contracts stipulate 2 percent cost of living increases, and those contracts will still be in effect for two more years, said Brayman. The council is still paying for costs associated with acquiring or maintaining several new buildings in town, such as the police station, McLellan Building, and the Parks and Recreation Department’s new facility at Brunswick Landing.

A little more than 60 percent of the budget is marked for education. On Wednesday, the school board voted to submit a $36.2 million budget to the council, an increase of about 4 percent.

The council will discuss the school board’s budget with the board during today’s council meeting.

County taxes are expected to increase almost $84,000 over the current year to about $1.3 million.

The council is holding a series of workshops in preparation for a May 29 vote on a combined budget.

A public hearing is scheduled on the budget for May 15, and Brayman said she wants to hear what citizens have to say on the budget.

“It’s not an easy budget,” Brayman said. “This is a tough budget, and we will be making some really tough decisions.”

By the numbers

HERE ARE THE COSTS driving a $1.25 million increase in the municipal portion of Brunswick’s latest budget proposal, according to Interim Town Manager and Finance Director John Eldridge:

— $254,705: Increased expenditures/uses due to salaries and wages

— $244,600: Increased expenditures/uses due to employment benefits

— $290,000: Decreased revenues/sources related to reduction in proceeds from asset sales

— $182,008: Decreased revenues/sources due to increase in property tax allowances

— $285,800: Net effect of all other expenditure/uses and revenue/sources changes

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