OLD ORCHARD BEACH – Town Manager Larry Mead of Old Orchard Beach has proposed a fiscal year 2018 budget that he says is true to the Town Council’s wish of limiting property taxes as much as possible while continuing to deliver effective services and addressing the town’s infrastructure needs.

Mead presented the proposed $16.9 million budget at a Town Council meeting Tuesday night. The proposed budget, combined with the projected school budget, would increase the mil rate by 48 cents, from $15.46 to $15.94. This would mean a $96 annual tax increase on a $200,000 home.

Those who live in Maine year-round are are eligible for the state Homestead Exemption and this increase would be reduced by $80 — from $96 to $16 a year.

Mead’s proposal includes adding a deputy fire chief position to the Fire Department. He said given the size of the department and the complexity of operating a modern fire and rescue department, it is unrealistic to expect the fire chief to operate without professional administrative support.

“This position is not a frill. It is essential to the success of the department,” said Mead.

The proposal also includes an increase of $50,000 for overtime expenses in the Fire Department. Mead said over the past several years, the town has spent more than it budgeted for the department’s overtime costs.

The proposed budget also includes leases for a street sweeper and a loader-tractor for the wastewater department as well as a new lease program for police cars.

On the revenue side, the projected budget includes an increase of $65,000 in building permit fees and $60,000 in businesses licenses that reflect new rates.

Mead said the proposed increase of money from business licenses would cover the $20,000 for a proposed part-time position to help coordinate services for foreign students working at summer jobs through J1 visas. Currently this work is being done by two volunteers.

The proposed budget also includes a $45,000 increase in revenues parking meters, permits and fines. This forecasted increase includes a new summer parking pass program for residents and a proposed increase in parking ticket charges.

The Town Council will begin reviewing the budget by department and propose changes at a series of workshops beginning on April 4. The Town Council is scheduled to vote on the municipal budget on June 6.

The school budget will be presented to the public next month and will be later voted on by the school board, the next steps would be a vote a public meeting vote by residents, and finally a vote by residents at the polls on June 6.

 — Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or [email protected].