WATERVILLE — City Council Chairman Fred Stubbert, D-Ward 1, says this is not the time to raise taxes.

To that end, he plans to ask councilors Monday to take $500,000 from surplus to decrease a proposed $37 million municipal and school budget for the coming fiscal year. The proposal is a little more than a half percent above the current $36.7 million budget, according to city Finance Director Chuck Calkins.

If approved, Stubbert’s request would prevent a proposed tax increase from the current $24.65 per $1,000 worth of valuation to $25.65.

If the tax rate is increased to $25.65, a homeowner with property worth $100,000 would pay $100 more in taxes.

“Right now we’re looking at a one mill increase,” Stubbert said Friday. “I’d like to see that neutral. I think in this economy it’s important not to raise taxes. It’s also important from an economic development standpoint because that’s what businesses look at before they move to a place — to see what the taxes are.”

The proposed budget already calls for taking $1.5 million from surplus. Calkins said the surplus, or fund balance, is projected to be at $7.3 million at the end of the fiscal year on June 30. Using $1.5 in surplus would lower the fund balance to $5.8 million.The council meeting will be at 7 p.m. Monday in the council chambers at The Center.

Councilors at a budget workshop Tuesday decided to add a few items to the proposed budget and delete other requests.

Deleted were requests for a third new police cruiser for $25,000 and an additional officer for $45,000.

Added were $9,785 for a vehicle allowance and additional wages for part-time staff at Robert LaFleur Municipal Airport; $18,000 for wages to increase operating hours at Waterville Public Library; $5,000 for an additional part-time clerk for the city; and $500 for the Maine International Film Festival, in addition to the $2,000 proposed for the festival.

Meanwhile, Waterville schools are getting $773,000 less in state subsidy for 2012-13 in what school officials call one of the worst budget years they have seen in years.

More than 12 cuts in staff are proposed in the budget, with more than five of those positions at Waterville Senior High School, according to Principal Don Reiter. Cuts at that school are for math, English, science and wellness teachers, as well as half-time social studies and art teachers, Reiter said.

Schools Finance Director Paula Pooler said Friday that the proposed $19.7 million school budget for the coming year is $130,000 less than the current school budget.

In other matters Monday, councilors will be asked to defer voting on whether to buy the Morning Sentinel building on Front Street to turn it into a police station, according to Stubbert.

He said figures are still being gathered to determine whether buying the Sentinel or building new at Head of Falls is more beneficial to the city.

Amy Calder — 861-9247

acalder@centralmaine.com

 

Copy the Story Link