FARMINGTON — Franklin County commissioners will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, Dec. 4, on the proposed 2013-14 Unorganized Territory budget of $1.06 million.

The hearing will be held in the commissioners’ office at 9:30 a.m. at the Franklin County Courthouse.

The regular meeting of the commission begins at 9 a.m.

The spending plan represents an increase of $62,710 over the current $1 million budget.

The proposed budget includes $150,000 for the paving reserve account, which is $50,000 more than the current budget. Commissioners have asked Road Agent Jerry Haines to come in and explain the need for an increase during the hearing.

County Clerk Julie Magoon told commissioners on Tuesday that the proposed budget is well below the state’s LD 1 tax cap.

Magoon said she also included 15 percent more in the snow removal budget due to contracts needing to be renewed for the next five years.

Waste disposal is nearly $5,000 less than the current budget. Rangeley’s portion to cover unorganized territories in that area is down from $24,268 to $20,153.

Commission Chairman Gary McGrane of Jay commended Rangeley for coming in under budget.

Other towns also came in under budget, with the exception of Eustis, which was $2,000 over budget.

The overall proposed fire protection budget is also down $6,792 from the current $98,830.

Cemeteries budget is also down by more than 50 percent at $4,167. The current budget included about $4,500 for the Huff Cemetery fence work that was done.

Magoon said she added $5,000 to the reserve account for the Emergency Management Agency director’s vehicle. One-third of the cost of the vehicle is paid for by the Unorganized Territory budget.

dperry@sunjournal.com

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