HARRISON — Voters will be asked to approve a $6.4 million budget when the annual town meeting gets under way Wednesday, June 12.

Action on the 25-article warrant starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Harrison Elementary School on Naples Road.

Town Manager George “Bud” Finch, said the proposed 2013-14 budget is increasing $223,142, or 3.6 percent, over this fiscal year’s total of $6.2 million.

The overall budget increase is mainly due to education and county taxes, which accounts for 83 percent of the increase, Finch said.

“Education alone accounts for $170,122, or 76 percent, while the county tax accounts for $14,747, or 7 percent,” he said.

Voters will also be asked to appropriate $675,078 from revenues to reduce property taxes and to earmark any excess funds for unexpected and deferred maintenance projects, Finch said.

He said approval of this article will reduce property taxes and the impact of lost state revenue. “It also assures our ability to meet the financial obligations of our operations and to allow the board, at their discretion, to address the many diverse needs for general maintenance should the economy improve,” he said.

Finch said that after adjustments for revenue, valuation changes and overlay, $5,823,140 in taxes must be collected. That amount is an increase of $257,832, or 4.6 percent, from this fiscal year.

The action would bring the tax rate to about $10.70 per $1,000, he said. That’s about $49 more on a $100,000 home.

Finch said the $1,872,329 for municipal operations is $61,726 less than the current budget.

“The reduction in the municipal operation budget has been accomplished through productivity improvements and cost avoidance without the loss of any services,” he said.

The Capital Reserve and Capital Roads budgets have been increased to meet future needs and account for the remaining $38,273, or 17 percent portion of the $223,142 increase in the fiscal budget, Finch said. The increase is part of the comprehensive capital equipment and infrastructure plan for the town.

The proposed budget includes $104,031 for the Fire Department, $320,231 for solid waste disposal and operation of the transfer station, $167,741 for Parks and Recreation, $171,322 for public safety, $350,000 for road work and $150,000 for the Comprehensive Capital and Reserve Fund.

Voters will be asked to take $115,000 from the Capital and Reserve Fund’s overall $437,500 to fund deferred maintenance projects and replace some equipment.

ldixon@sunjournal.com

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