BATH
The Bath City Council on Wednesday unanimously approved a $14.79 million municipal budget for fiscal year 2012-13.
That figure is $18,500 more than the budget proposed at a May 23 public hearing, because councilors reversed a controversial proposal to sell the city’s third ambulance to trim expenses.
The budget reflects an increase of $692,596 over fiscal year 2012, and would contribute — along with increased city and school costs — to a 5.27 percent overall property tax rate increase, based upon a 2.08 percent increase in the municipal budget, a 0.52 percent increase ($85,826) in the city’s share of the Sagadahoc County budget and a 2.67 percent increase ($438,104) in Regional School Unit 1 costs, according to Bath Finance Director Juli Millett.
Residents and members of Bath Firefighters Local 1611 told the council on May 23 that selling the third ambulance — among a number of cost-saving measures included by the council in the draft 2012-13 budget — would increase the department’s response time and hinder the city’s ability to fulfill its mutual aid agreement with Brunswick.
“Maybe in our zeal to save a few dollars, maybe we can let this thing run a little longer and do some research,” Councilor Andy Winglass said Wednesday.
Councilors also gave first passage to a 2012-13 capital budget of $808,391, including the first year’s interest payments on bonds to purchase a police vehicle, repairs and replacement of a recreation track and tennis court surface, one public works truck, and a gas collection system at the landfill ($302,000) and sanitary sewer and stormwater collection system modifications on Willow Street ($651,500).
Funds from previously issued bonds will be used to pave streets and purchase a mini-excavator for the Department of Public Works, fire turnout gear and a roof.
A proposed amendment by Councilor Sean Paulhus to fund repairs to stormwater drainage system on Richardson Street was defeated 7-1. The overall cost would have been $860,000, but the first year’s interest would have totaled $24,000, Giroux said.
The council also rescheduled its July meeting to July 9.
bbrogan@timesrecord.com
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