MADISON — Voters at the annual Town Meeting on Monday evening will be asked to consider a $2.27 million budget that is almost identical to the current year’s budget.
The proposed budget for upcoming fiscal year is $2,276,583, which is about $5,000 more than the current one.
Increases in wages, benefit costs and other accounts have been offset by reductions in other areas, Town Manager Dana Berry said.
Despite the small increase in the municipal budget, he said, local taxpayers should expect to pay more in the coming year if the local school district’s proposed budget is approved. The board of directors of School Administrative District 59 has approved a $10.36 million budget, an increase of nearly $1 million from the current one.
Berry said that budget, which will be presented to voters June 20 at a public meeting, could cause the town’s property tax rate to increase about 12 percent, or $2 per $1,000 of assessed value, if approved. That means the property taxes for a $100,000 house would increase about $200, he said. The current property tax rate is $16.91 per $1,000 of assessed value.
Berry said the town will look to cut some services or capital projects to avoid a possible loss in revenue sharing from the state, which is proposed in Gov. Paul LePage’s budget. The potential loss to the town is $150,000 to $300,000.
“We are going to pass a budget, and if those cuts are made, they will be accounted for in services,” he said.
Among the items residents will be asked to approve are $637,736 for administrative costs, including boards, committees, administration and code enforcement; $1 million for public safety, including ambulance, fire and police; $314,517 for waste disposal and storm drains; and $704,379 for public works.
The 30-article warrant also includes a proposed change to the town’s site review ordinance to allow flashing signs. An example would be lighted signs that include information on town and school board meetings, Berry said.
The Town Meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, June 10, at Madison Area Junior High School.
Elections are to be held Tuesday, June 11, with polls open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Town Office on Weston Avenue. There are contested races for the Board of Selectmen and the board of directors of SAD 59.
Rachel Ohm — 612-2368
rohm@mainetoday.com
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