LISBON

The third time was not a charm.

Lisbon voters for the third time rejected a town council-approved 2015-16 spending plan in a budget validation referendum Tuesday.

The council had proposed a spending plan that, including funding for adult education, totals $15,207,082. That would have represented a $268,543 budget increase, but a decrease of $177,763 required through local taxes.

The school committee had proposed a $15.44 million spending plan.

The referendum was not even close. Voters on Tuesday rejected the proposed $15.2 million spending plan by 452 to 142. Non-binding question two asked if voters opposing the budget did so because it was too high or low. Voters resoundingly said the budget was too low, 371-81.

With 594 ballots cast, there was a mere 9 percent voter turnout.

The town council previously discussed scheduling Tuesday’s referendum so that, if it failed, there would be time to hold the next referendum on Nov. 3.

There has been contention between the town council and school committee over the approach to the school budget and three times the town council has made amendments to the school committee’s proposed spending plan, lowering the overall local share.

Councilors raised concerns with the school committee’s proposed use of bond proceeds from the recently completed track project and the gym project nearing completion.

The school department had most recently only proposed to use the principal of the bonds to help offset costs.

The council has also expected the school department to follow its directive issued in January to cut $600,000 from additional local funds.

The council’s initial proposed budget was defeated by voters June 9 by a vote of 790-308 and 659 of those voting “no” did so because the budget was too low.

The council’s second proposed budget — also a reduction of the spending plan the school committee proposed, was defeated in an Aug. 11 referendum 473 to 141. In the nonbinding advisory question, 413 voters opposed to the budget because it was too low compared to 56 who said it was too high.

The school budget validation referendums will continue until a budget is legally adopted by voters.

dmoore@timesrecord.com

Tuesday’s count

VOTERS ON TUESDAY rejected the proposed $15.2 million spending plan by 452 to 142. Non-binding question two asked if voters opposing the budget did so because it was too high or low. Voters resoundingly said the budget was too low, 371-81.

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