RUMFORD – Higher prices for fuels, insurances and salt are among the reasons for a 5.5 percent hike in the town’s proposed 2005-06 municipal budget.
Town Manager Steve Eldridge said residents will consider a $6,655,281 municipal budget at town meeting in June.
“This is what we can do to continue doing all the things we’ve been doing,” he said Thursday.
Last year, residents approved a $6,305,613 municipal budget, or $349,668 less than this year’s.
Health insurance premiums went up more than $100,000 for the town’s 71 full- and part-time employees, while liability insurance increased by $10,000, or 5 percent, he said.
The town’s nonunion employees received a 3 percent salary hike. The rates for union workers have not yet been set, he said.
Sand and salt costs were $30,000 more than budgeted this year. That money is included in the upcoming budget. Another $25,000 was paid to settle salary hikes for the police department during the previous year, as well. Eldridge said the police union contract hadn’t been settled before last year’s town meeting.
Other increases include $35,000 more for the town manager’s budget. Much of these funds will be used for economic development, such as $12,000 for the River Valley Growth Council. Eldridge and selectmen have also asked for funding for a half-time code enforcement officer. Salary and other costs for the position are expected to be just over $19,000.
Eldridge said most departments submitted budgets for 2 percent less than last year’s, as requested. He has also made cuts in the town office computer account.
The municipal budget is one part of the town’s overall budget. Selectmen approved presenting residents with $378,655 in initiated article requests in March. These articles fund such things as Black Mountain of Maine, the Greater Rumford Community Center, and a variety of social social agencies.
Also, the town’s overall tax liability includes $479,311 for Oxford County taxes, which is a $38,000 decrease from last year, and $6,911,267 for SAD 43, an increase of $143,438 over last year if voters approve the school district’s budget in June.
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