FARMINGTON — The Franklin County budget panel will hold a public hearing Wednesday on a proposed $6.2 million budget for 2017-18.

The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on June 7 at the Franklin County Courthouse.

In the commissioners’ proposed budget and Budget Advisory Committee’s preliminary budget, $2 million of the total budget is for the jail, $338,738 more than the current jail budget. After factoring in revenue, the net expense would be $1.82 million.

For county government, commissioners propose $4.21 million, $4,673 less than the current budget. After revenues are factored in, the net expense is $3.55 million. 

The budget panel’s preliminary proposal is $4.19 million. After factoring in revenues, it is $3.53 million. 

Budget committee members reduced the county government expenses by $18,750 in May. The panel will meet later in June after the hearing to set its proposed budget.

The committee upheld the commissioners’ reduction of $148,130 for program grants on May 24. Some funding was eliminated entirely while other requests face reduced amounts. Among the requests not funded are $60,000 for Greater Franklin Development Council; $10,000 for Franklin County Children’s Task Force; and $10,000 for Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Services. 

This is the first time in several years that the budget panel is operating without former Chairman John Calloway of Avon. Calloway did not seek re-election in March to the Avon Board of Selectmen. Selectmen are elected to the county budget committee.

New budget panel Chairman Joshua Bell of Farmington said he and another committee member recently delivered a letter signed by all members thanking Calloway for his service to the county.

The letter reads in part, “You not only served as a passionate member, but as an inspirational and respected chairman. The committee will truly miss your leadership and dedication to our county and its citizens. The residents owe you a great deal of gratitude.” 

dperry@sunmediagroup.net

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