SOUTH BERWICK — Residents voted to approve the proposed line items in the town’s $12.8 million municipal budget Tuesday night at the annual town meeting. 

The budget reflects a 13.3% increase from last year, but officials said they will not know the exact tax impact until they set the mill rate in August. 

The town’s current tax rate is $12.52 per $1,000 of assessed property value, but that’s expected to increase considerably because of a number of capital investments. 

Key items in the approved budget include the operation of a town-run fire and EMS service. Last year, voters approved $1.2 million to allow the South Berwick Fire Department to transition from contracted EMS service to a municipally run service.

York Ambulance, which has served South Berwick for several years, will conclude primary service for the town once its contract expires June 30. Some members of the Town Council said Tuesday that South Berwick residents have had difficulties getting timely responses from the York-based nonprofit.

The original $2 million proposal for emergency services was criticized by a handful of attendees who said it was too expensive. Some suggested a phased approach over a few years to mitigate spending.

Council member Samuel Flinkstrom moved to cut the fire department and emergency management services budget to $1.7 million while leaving funding for water hydrants and fire protection untouched. 

The revised budget includes salaries to hire four full-time fire and EMS staff in addition to the eight current full-time employees. But Flinkstrom argued that a staffing model approved last year has not provided enough data to demonstrate the need for more staff.

“I believe we should allow that recently implemented model to operate before we make the decision to hire four additional full-time employees,” he said.

But his motion failed, and the town adopted the original $2 million proposal.

To soften the looming tax increase for property owners, the town also voted to use $1 million from its “undesignated funds” balance to contribute to a $2.7 million general government budget.

Voters also approved $2.1 million for police services, including animal control and dispatch; $2.3 million for public works; and other line items for bonds and debt service.