The proposed budget, which will be presented at a public hearing on July 12, reflects an increase of 2.3 percent over last year's spending plan.

Even with a reduction of $9,000 in municipal expenses this year and a $5,000 cut last year, the town can survive, Town Manager Robert Simpson said. That's because the reductions were offset by budgeting less than anticipated for improvements to aging town buildings. The reduction will simply delay some improvements planned to municipal property, he said.

"We anticipate no significant impact on the quality of services we provide to the community," Simpson said Friday.

The proposed 2001 budget is $4,412,496 compared to $4,314,557 approved last year. School costs increased $113,584 for the 2001-2002 school year. The town raised $1,330,916 for education for the current school year compared to a budget of $1,444,500 for 2001-2002.

Aside from education costs, a large increase also was reflected in health insurance. Another factor that influenced the proposed budget was the fact the town anticipates less revenues, according to the town manager.

The town anticipates collecting $115,050 for ambulance services and recreation fees to add to the revenues. Last year, the town received $120,150 from these services. In addition, leases and rentals of town buildings are expected to generate nearly $33,000, and other services, such as the golf course, cable franchise, investments and utility district reimbursements are expected to generate $266,411 in revenues. These fees, along with state funds, should provide the town with revenues of $1.7 million.

Simpson said about $285,000 was cut from the initial budget.

Of the overall proposed budget, 64 percent reflects municipal costs, 33 percent covers education costs and 3 percent represents county services.
"This content originally appeared as a copyrighted article in the Sunday, June 17, 2001 edition of the Bangor Daily NEWS and is used here with permission."