MECHANIC FALLS — The Town Council and Budget Committee voted Wednesday to recommend a $2.4 million budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1.

Town Manager John Hawley said the budget, approved with no dissenting voices, calls for raising $1,303,776 from local property taxes. That’s almost $19,000 less than what voters approved for this fiscal year.

“None of the departments are asking for unreasonable increases, in fact most of the increases are tied to fixed costs that we have no local control over,” Hawley said.

The council and Budget Committee recommendations go to a referendum June 12, in conjunction with state primary elections, for final approval.

The recommended budget includes a 3 percent pay increase for all full-time employees and 3½ percent increases for part-time employees.

The dispatch budget provides for a major increase expected once officials decide on a plan for how dispatch is handled countywide.

This year, the town is paying $10,440 for dispatch services. Voters will be asked to approve $42,502 for the coming fiscal year.

“I’m not even sure that will cover it, but we will pay whatever fee they decide to charge, much like the county tax is now,” Hawley said.

He said the $42,502 was based on one of the scenarios under discussion.

Also included in the capital improvement budget is $16,015 for an office/bathroom at the town transfer station. This is for materials only, to construct a 12- by 24-foot building, including a heating system, plumbing fixtures and a septic system. It will be completed using in-house equipment and labor.

The amount of $25,000 is also being set aside to build sidewalks in the downtown in conjunction with MDOT’s project to pave Route 121 from Hackett Mills at the Poland town line to the bridge over the Little Androscoggin in the center of Mechanic Falls.

More than $200,000 is being placed in reserve accounts for future purchases of police, fire and public works vehicles, and for repairs to municipal buildings and sidewalks.

Hawley said the $19,000 reduction in spending for 2012-13 will partially offset the estimated $127,000 increase in school costs.

Hawley said he might be able to hold the property tax increase to as little as 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value, if the school budget is ratified May 15.

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