MEXICO — Selectmen and the Budget Committee slogged through the proposed Recreation Department account for more than two hours Wednesday night, then came up with two very different figures to recommend to voters in June.

When budget figures for the three sections of recreation accounts — recreation building, recreation park and recreation programs — were tallied, selectmen voted to present a figure of $128,600, while the Budget Committee recommended $96,810.

The two groups also differed in recommended figures for the Recreation Department’s reserve account. Selectmen said $14,000 should be put away for a multitude of projects and items, while the Budget Committee reduced that number to $10,000.

The biggest difference in the three accounts came in the number of hours and salary amount to be paid for the department’s director, Wayne Sevigny.

Currently, he earns $10.24 an hour for a 20-hour week, although he said he often works 35 hours a week, and his wife puts in 15 hours a week. He requested an increase to 32 hours a week at a salary of about $34,000 annually. Selectmen settled on a salary of $30,000, with a minimum of 30 hours a week. He will not receive health benefits.

Selectmen George Byam, who motioned to provide Sevigny with a $30,000 a year salary, said he had the experience.

“This will be a trial basis,” he said.

Recreation Committee member Tammy Schmersal said Sevigny has brought much enthusiasm and many new ideas to the Recreation Department, including soccer and basketball programs.

“We’re getting something different,” she said of Sevigny’s leadership.

The selectmen’s recommended budget also includes additional hours for a custodian.

Budget Committee member Albert Aniel said much in the budget made perfect sense.

“But the costs keep going up,” he said.

The original proposed Recreation Department budget by Town Manager John Madigan came in at $106,500, up 20 percent from the current fiscal year operating budget of $88,600.

Madigan said the department has been operating on bare bones for several years.

“We need to make serious decisions on what the recreation program will be in the future,” he said.

Also discussed during the session were programs offered by the Greater Rumford Community Center, and costs for Mexico children to attend.

Selectmen Reggie Arsenault suggested that GRCC Director Bob Anderson and some of his board meet with the Mexico Recreation Committee at the April 10 selectmen’s meeting to discuss costs, answer questions from each recreation department and sort out programs.

The Budget Committee and selectmen will meet one more time, at 6 p.m. April 5, to finish work on the proposed 2012-13 budget.