FREEPORT

The Freeport Town Council approved its fiscal year 2017 combined budget of $27.04 million, reflecting a tax increase of $197,397 or .88 percent over 2016.

The combined budget will raise taxes 14 cents per $1,000 of valuation over last year.

Vice Chairman Scott Gleeson announced that if the council appears to be moving through the votes quickly, it was simply because all councilors have had plenty of time to become familiar with the numbers.

Indeed, the votes did move quickly, garnering unanimous acceptance of budget items by all councilors. The only vote missing was that of Chairwoman Melanie Sachs, who was absent.

Councilor Sarah Tracy said the council was able to cut about $15,000 from the final budget to keep numbers low and find as much savings as possible.

Increases in budget expenditures include insurances at $62,700, salaries up 1.93 percent at $69,000. Decreases came in transit contracted services, down $7,000, and a $4,800 decrease in general administration expenses.

Budget revenues were im- pacted by excise tax increases of $100,000 and a business tax reimbursement increase of $50,000. Proposed reductions in use of the fund balance are down $125,000 from $675,000 to $550,000. There was also a decrease in state revenue sharing of $10,000.

Amounts approved by the council include $82,765 for human services and the Community Center building and $236,000 respectively for the town council and town manager.

Also approved was $355,000 for non-emergency transportation.

A capital budget in the amount just over $1.4 million was adopted, to approve police, fire, rescue, public works municipal facilities, cable television and boards and committees.

The municipal budget of over $10.1 million was approved for general government administration, county tax and debt service as well as the library.

dmcintire@timesrecord.com

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