MONMOUTH – No tax increase is expected from the town or school budgets in 2005-06, officials announced at Wednesday night’s hearing.
More than 100 people attended the hearing with the Board of Selectmen, who will sign the warrant April 27.
“The key point is the local tax. There is no increase,” said school Superintendent Stephen Cottrell. “Our goal was to come in with a budget that is flat funded to the community.”
The selectmen’s proposed $2,752,862 municipal budget is $22,161 higher than this year, but no tax increase is expected.
The Budget Committee recommended $2,617,891.
The proposed school budget is $6,383,490, up 2.78 percent from last year. The amount to be raised by taxation is $2,594,895, the same as approved last year.
State funding is $3,703,595, an increase of $215,107 from last year.
Proposed capital improvements include about $200,000 for an addition to the town garage.
Voters will consider an article to sell North Monmouth Community Hall, which Town Manager Tim Simcock said would save the town money annually.
Cottrell said he has sought proposals from two privately owned bus operators. He did not identify them. “We have to know that it is cost effective before we can do that,” he said. “We want to make sure we are getting a bargain.”
Several people questioned the cost of debt service and operations for Cumston Hall, while others defended the community building that houses the Theater at Monmouth and several local organizations.
Budget Committee member Ron Clement said taxpayers are mired in $1.2 million in debt for the historic building. That is just the principal on loans, not interest and operating expenses, which include $23,000 for electricity this year, he said.
The budgets will be decided by referendum ballot June 14.
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