MEXICO – Town Manager John Madigan presented a preliminary overview of a possible 2010 municipal budget Wednesday night that would likely remain the same as this year’s figure.

The presentation was part of the town’s promise to begin the budget development process earlier. Voters will act on the budget at a referendum in June.

Madigan said most department expenses are coming in at 90 percent or more of the amounts budgeted.

He said he believes the next budget could come in no higher than this year’s $3.35 million that was approved by voters last June.

“This is what it costs to run the town,” he said.

Finance Committee members Betty Barrett and Monique Aniel, however, agreed that although that was the amount needed to run the town, it was for existing levels, suggesting that some changes could be made. Both want what was termed as a creative look at a new budget.

“We must look at personnel,” Barrett said. “We’ve got to look at everything we’re giving.”

Among her focuses were the $16,000 the town gives annually to the River Valley Growth Council, and the $11,000 provided to social service agencies.

Aniel also requested a meeting with selectmen to discuss the best use of town buildings and other resources.

“Are we doing the best with what we have?” she asked.

Madigan said revenues will likely be reduced during the next fiscal year, particularly those coming from the state. Despite reductions and a 3 percent wage increase for municipal employees, he believes a flat municipal budget will be possible because of lower costs for municipal accounts and less budgeted for reserve accounts.

He is expected to bring to the board’s Jan. 28 meeting additional budget information.

In a related matter, the board voted to accept the SAD 43 central office building and the .62 acre parcel it sits on if the school board offers it back to the town. That board is expected to bring up the matter at its Jan. 20 meeting.

Madigan estimated about $25,000 annually would be needed to keep building open. The central office won’t be needed by SAD 43 after July 1 because the district has joined with neighboring SADs 21 and 39 to form a new regional unit with central offices in Dixfield.