OXFORD — Voters will be asked to approve a $3.2 million municipal budget when the annual town meeting gets underway Saturday.
Town Manager Michael Chammings said he does not anticipate any increases to the tax rate.
Action on the 34-article warrant begins at 10 a.m. June 8 in the Oxford Elementary School on Route 121.
The $3,286,225 budget is a $76,131.00 more than last year’s budget.
“The warrant is cut and dry, no major changes,” Chammings said.
The budget includes $584,214 for the Police Department, $531,457 for the Highway Department, $249,179 for the Fire Department and $221,121 for the Rescue Department.
Voters will also be asked to approve $484,087 for the administration account, $226,416 for the transfer station, $155,520 for the long-term debt account and $395,000 for the capital improvements account.
Chammings said that because of the implementation of some strong and financially prudent financial policies, including the Fund Balance Policy, the Investment Policy and the Purchase Order Policy several years ago, the town remains financially stable.
The Fund Balance Policy helps the town stabilize the tax rate and helps ensure that capital projects are funded, he said.
Although all the revenues are not calculated until August, Chammings said revenues from the Oxford Casino are greater than the cost of the impacts from the casino and they will be partially used to offset any increases in the budget.
The warrant includes an amendment to an ordinance dealing with pawnbroker, precious metal dealer and secondhand dealer license restrictions.
The amendment says that in the case of purchased gold or other precious metals, the gold or metal must be held for seven days. The licensee must provide documentation of purchase to the Oxford Police Department and the police chief or his designee will review each slip and either agree to the sale or request a hold. This sign-off or request will be in writing on a form from the Police Department.
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