JAY — If everything stays the same in the proposed $6.2 million municipal budget, taxpayers will need to raise $563,944.07 more than last year.

The estimated amount to be raised is $4.6 million, compared to $4 million last year. The increase is mostly due to less anticipated revenues. The overall spending plan for 2014-15 shows an increase of $157,769.07 over the current budget.

The budget amount does not include the town’s share of the RSU 73 or Franklin County budgets.

The numbers are all estimates and may change before the final budget goes to voters in a referendum June 10.

The Board of Selectpersons, town department heads and the Budget Committee will meet at 6 p.m. March 24 in the library at the Spruce Mountain High School to set proposed budgets for departments.

On March 25 at 6 p.m. in the school library, the board and budget panel will take up the requests of the Jay-Niles Memorial Library and charitable and civic organizations.

A public hearing on the budget will be held at 6 p.m. April 29 in the high school library.

The bulk of the increase in the overall spending plan can be attributed to the addition of $130,000 to replace sewer lines on Smith Avenue, according to budget information. The Police Department shows an increase of $25,135 and the Highway Department’s budget reflects a $20,000 increase. Most of those increases can be attributed to payroll and benefits.

The professional services line reflects an increase of $59,300 to make it $190,342.40. Falling under that category are legal services, which is up $15,000 to make it $75,000, and industrial valuation that is up $30,000 to bring the line to $50,000.

Both of these increases are related to the revaluation of the Verso Paper Corp. mill in Jay, Town Manager Shiloh LaFreniere said. The company filed a tax abatement request in February because it believes the town’s valuation of its property is too high.

The solid waste disposal account is down $59,300 to $591,300.

On the revenue side, town officials are estimating $1.58 million, which is $406,175 less than the current budget.

The town is estimating it will receive $160,000 in state revenue-sharing, which is $123,575 less than it got last year. It is also proposed that $250,000 from surplus be added to offset the amount taxpayers will have to raise, $262,000 less than what was budgeted last year.

dperry@sunjournal.com

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