WEST PARIS — Town departments are asking for slightly more than $38,000 more in expenditures for the 2014-2015 budget. The Budget Committee is set to begin its deliberations at the end of the month in advance of town meeting in March.
Projected expenditures are $1,160,968, compared to this year’s $1,222,931, which also includes an additional $13,000 for the Fire Department approved by voters in September.
The initial budget projections also do not take into account the SAD 17 assessment and Oxford County taxes.
The requested increases are spread out across the town’s departments, with the Highway Department making the largest request, about $23,400 more than last year, and administration asking for about $6,000 more. Other accounts, including buildings and general assistance, are budgeted for thousands of dollars less than last year.
The Town Office is estimating a $1.60 increase in the town’s tax rate, to $8.13 per $1,000 of assessed property value. However, that projection uses last year’s valuation and does not take into account homestead reimbursement from the state. According to the projections, the town is looking at increasing its tax levy by $38,000, to $681,714.
Budget figures are expected to change as the Budget Committee and selectmen review the numbers and as revenue projections become more solid.
“The initial requests do make it look like there is going to be a tax increase, but we’re going to have to see how it all works out,” Town Manager John White said.
The Budget Committee is scheduled to meet Jan. 27 and 28 at the Town Office. Voters will act on the budget at a town meeting on March 1.
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