AUBURN – The $9.2 million county budget for 2004, which shows a decrease in property tax assessments, passed with little discussion and no opposition Wednesday night.
The budget is $214,160 more than this year, but because of a 10 percent-plus increase in revenues for 2004, the amount to be raised by taxes is $39,447 less than this year.
The Budget Committee voted 9-0 to adopt the spending plan they worked on for nearly two months. They began in October with a proposed budget of $9,455,817 and addressed each department’s budget separately with the respective leaders.
“It was a consensus of the Budget Committee to have a zero percent increase in the 2004 tax levy,” said Budget Committee Chairman Paul Labrecque of Lewiston. “The 2004 tax levy is actually lower than it was in 2003 by 0.60 percent.”
“I think this budget is a Christmas gift that I think everyone will enjoy,” said Gerry Dennison of Auburn, a member of the Budget Committee. He thanked the department heads for their help and cooperation.
Herbert “Pete” Reed, a committee member from Lisbon said he supports anything that helps reduce property taxes, especially where senior citizens are helped. “Right now, in the town of Lisbon, my property taxes cost me $62 a week,” Reed said.
Labrecque read letters from Lewiston City Administrator Jim Bennett and the Lisbon Board of Selectmen. Both letters praised the work of the Budget Committee.
Major increases for 2004 are:
• $62,821 for part-time civil process servers.
• $158,165 for employee benefits.
• $40,000 for insurance.
• $65,000 for contingency.
• $27,701 for Registry of Deeds.
Major decreases for 2004 are:
• $50,000 for boarding prisoners.
• $68,000 for deeds/binding.
• $134,395 for building department.
• $46,550 for bridges.
• $43,896 for interest.
Although the amount to be raised by taxes in 2004 is less than this year, some towns will have higher assessments because of their state valuations. Durham’s will be 7.42 percent more; Minot, 5.20 percent more; Poland, 5.85 percent more; and Mechanic Falls 3.95 percent more.
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