FREEPORT
Freeport presented its proposed municipal budget Tuesday, which is expected to raise property taxes by a little more than 1 percent.
The gross municipal budget, considered a maintenance budget, is $9.7 million, and the amount to be raised by residents is about $5 million after accounting for revenue that offsets the tax impact to residents.
The current mill rate, per $1,000 of assessed value is, $15.80.
The town is proposing a 4 cent increase in the mil rate with their budget, the Regional Unit 5 School Board of Directors budget is proposing a 52 cent increase to the mil rate with their $17 million budget, and the county tax, which has been finalized at about $1 million, adds a 4-cent increase—totaling a 60-cents increase to the mil rate, and collectively raising taxes 4 percent.
The town’s portion of that increase equates to a 1.19 percent tax, or $61,000, increase. The average home in Freeport is valued at $258,700, and if the three budget proposals are adopted as is, property taxes will increase by $4,243, according the the budget drafted by Finance Director Jessica Maloy.
The goal of the budget is to prioritize, evaluate and control expenditures with responsible budgeting to minimize the impact on taxpayers while providing the highest quality of services possible with the resources available, said the budget presented to the town select board.
“While the past few budget years have been difficult, and this year was no exception, the FY 2018 budget does reflect a $256,454 increase in operating expenses. This is offset, however, by a $145,000 increase in non-property tax revenue, leaving the Town with a $61,104 property tax increase, or one point one-nine percent,” the budget document said.
About half of revenue to fund town operations comes from property taxes. Fourteen percent comes from investments, and another 14 percent is generated in excise taxes.
New items and changes in the budget include wages and benefit rate increases for town employees totaling $111,000. An increase of 2 percent for salaries is the average of area towns’ wage increases for their respective employees.
Town management is also recommending the consolidation of the Fire/Rescue and transport operations. Per diem medics and emergency medical technician staff positions were cut and instead, hours for an assistant chief were increased. Town Manager Peter Joseph said this change has already occurred, and is not a reduction in staffing. Two crews to run ambulances will be staffed at all times, so it is also not a reduction in emergency coverage. The change accounts for a savings of about $100,000, the town manager said.
The town is expected to receive $370,000 in revenue sharing, down from $700,000 at its highest rate in 2008. Revenue sharing is a portion of sales and income taxes collected from the state. Revenue sharing money from the state to municipalities has been frozen at 2 percent. Joseph said town officials submitted a letter in support of a bill in the Legislature to incrementally increase the percentage of the share of money by one percent until it is restored to five percent.
The town council will hold a budget workshop May 16, and a public hearing on the budget is slated for June 6. Adoption of the budget is expected June 20.
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