The Freeport Town Council voted 7-0 Tuesday night to adopt a $12.3 million budget for the fiscal year 2022 that includes $1.36 million in taxes.

The $10.99 million municipal budget shows an increase of about $51,000 from the previous year. When county and school budgets are taken into consideration, Freeport’s tax rate is increasing by approximately 56 cents per $1,000 of property value, totaling $14.56.

The municipal share of that increase has increased 14 cents since last year, while Regional School Unit 5 and Cumberland County portions have increased 39 cents and 2 cents, respectively.

This means a $2,912 tax bill for a $200,000 home, a $112 increase over 2021.

The town budget includes $3.2 million for protection and enforcement, $114 million for health and welfare and $2.44 million for public works and solid waste, among other cost centers.

The councilors also approved a $337,960 for the Winslow Park budget, $23,000 for the Harb Cottage budget, and 375,000 “Destination Freeport” tax increment financing budget.

The panel additionally supported a $1.24 million capital projects budget, which is a decrease from $2.37 million the previous year. Larger items in that budget include $450,000 to rebuild Spar Cove and $140,000 for public works

While the non-emergency transport budget dropped by 47% compared to the previous year, the non-property tax revenue for Freeport town has increased by $184,700 or 4.02%.

Meanwhile, the 2022 approved budget for RSU 5, which was adopted by the school board in late March, sits at $35.7 million. Of this, Freeport taxpayers would be responsible for around $19.9 million, which represents a 4.16% tax total increase over 2021.

This story was updated at 10:20 a.m. June 17 to clarify how Freeport’s tax rate is divided.

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