FARMINGTON – The Franklin County Budget Committee voted Monday to approve a $4.9 million budget for 2009-10. They also voted Monday to exceed the state directed tax cap by $39,557 for the new fiscal year only.

The budget reflects a $54,119 increase over last year.

If county commissioners accept the budget Tuesday, the assessment to taxpayers would be $4.15 million, $150,858 more than the previous year. That includes $350,000 of undesignated surplus funds used to offset the budget.

It will take two-thirds of a commission vote to override the Budget Committee’s budget.

The Budget Committee adjusted Federal Insurance Contributions Act lines due to an oversight of an employee benefit.

The panel also voted to increase the amount for Western Maine Community Action to requested $49,500 from $33,000. The increase was given to provide matching grant funds for an energy conservation program to help 65 households.

Commissioners had approved the $49,500.

The overall county budget included reductions of $35,000 in overtime from the Sheriff’s Department ($25,000), and the emergency dispatch communications center ($10,000).

Steve Barker, a Jay selectman on the Budget Committee, thanked Chief Deputy Raymond Meldrum and Sheriff Dennis Pike for allowing the overtime reduction.

“I know it’s not going to be easy in these trying times,” Barker said.

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