OXFORD — The Budget Committee OK’d a $3.18 million budget for 2011-12 Wednesday night, a 0.81 percent increase over the 2010-11 budget.

Town Manager Michael Chammings told the Board of Selectmen on Thursday night that the committee approved the draft he submitted to them. That draft keeps many department budgets the same as last year’s and raises a few, such as police, fire and highway departments, less than 2 percent.

The spending plan would be about $25,500 more than the 2010-11 budget.

In February, selectmen voted to limit any budget increase to 1.61 percent, the largest allowed for Oxford, according to a 2005 state law that limits the yearly increase in town budgets based on local property growth and statewide income.

The largest increase came in the Fire Department, which rose 1.95 percent, or about $4,700.

Chammings said the warrant for the June town meeting is being put together.

At the county level, a slight devaluation means Oxford’s county tax commitment will drop from $301,000 to $299,000 this year. Oxford selectmen voted Thursday to sign the county assessor’s return.

treaves@sunjournal.com

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