FARMINGTON – Selectmen accepted a proposed budget of $4.18 million Tuesday night during a review of the annual town meeting warrant, Town Manager Richard Davis said Thursday.

“The selectmen ended up agreeing with all of the budget committee’s recommendations,” he said. If voters agree, also, the budget will be $4,178,460, 5.8 percent more than last year and $3,000 less than what was requested.

That number will bring Farmington over the tax levy limit, Davis said. Figuring that out is complicated, he said, because the actual limit is higher than the town’s budget increase. “But the limit is on the core municipal commitment,” Davis explained, “and you have to subtract the school portion and the county portion.”

One major increase the town couldn’t control was a $37,000 hike in fees to the Water Department, Davis said. It was a nearly 30 percent increase. The community center budget increased about $10,000 because the sewer line there needs to be replaced, and the town’s debt service has increased more than $63,000 since the new pumper-ladder truck was purchased.

“We think that’s going to pay off,” Davis said. “Since we replaced two trucks with one we will save money and operating costs over the long run. But it does mean a higher debt service.”

Even with the increases, Davis said the town is operating on a tight budget. The 1.7 percent salary increase was much lower than those given in other similar local towns, he said, and the 7.94 percent increase in health insurance costs is being split by the employees and the town.

The tax rate probably won’t change much in the end, Davis said, although that can’t be calculated until after April 1, when the town valuation is calculated.