WINTHROP — The town’s property tax rate would skyrocket by one-third if draft municipal and school budgets are approved without any changes.

But that’s not going to happen, town officials say.

“The chances are slim to none for a town-wide budget, meaning a combined town and school budget, passing with that kind of increase,” said Kevin Cookson, chairman of the council. “I don’t see that happening.”

Councilors got their first glimpse at the draft budget for 2012-13 on Monday night. Cookson described the proposal as what Winthrop’s budget would ideally look like — forgetting the sputtering economy and state budget cuts.

Town Manager Jeffrey Woolston declined to provide a total budget cost, saying more data in the coming weeks will help him provide a realistic estimate.

Under the draft proposal released Monday, the annual tax burden for a home assessed at $100,000 would jump by $456, from $1,368 to $1,824. The tax increase is about 33 percent, boosting the tax rate from $13.68 per $1,000 of property value to $18.24.

The town’s tax revenue would rise by $3 million, from $8.5 million to $11.5 million. Of the additional $3 million raised in tax revenue, approximately $1 million would go to support the town’s budget.

Another $1.9 million would be earmarked for the town’s school district.

In a letter accompanying the proposal, Woolston said the request for $7.5 million by the school district “is only the very first look and has not been vetted through the school system’s budget process.”

Woolston attributed the majority of increases in the proposed municipal budget to higher costs for materials, the restoration of the paving budget, and a 4 percent cost of living allowance for police and non-union personnel.

Monday night’s meeting was the first of many in the coming months that will focus on the budget. The next meeting is a budget workshop scheduled for Monday, followed by additional workshops in April and May.

On May 7, the school board is scheduled to present its final budget proposal to the Town Council. On June 4, the council votes separately on the town and school budgets.

If approved, the school budget is then submitted to the town for validation at the polls on June 12.

In other action Monday night, the council also approved increases in transfer stations fees, including a doubling of the cost of a transfer station sticker from $5 to $10. In explaining the request for the higher rates, Woolston said that $10 was a “good average” when compared to a survey of eight other towns in which sticker costs were as high as $25.

Councilor Sarah Fuller, who argued in support of the proposal, said 365 days of trash for $10 seemed reasonable. The cost increase passed in a 5-2 vote.

The council waived the second reading for the measure, so it can take effect in early May.

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