LEEDS — Residents will consider a $1.74 million municipal budget at the annual Town Meeting on Saturday.
The proposal is 8.1% more than this year’s $1.60 million.
Administrative Assistant Joyce Pratt described the proposal as a status quo budget, with no major additions. Increases are primarily the result of rising costs for goods and staff expenses.
The largest department increase is more than $20,000 for winter road maintenance, primarily due to $15,000 more for salt.
The warrant contains 42 articles, five of which deal with ordinance changes.
The tax impact for the proposed budget cannot be calculated now because of an ongoing property revaluation, which is planned to be completed this summer, Pratt said. Without the results of the revaluation, the town can’t predict how the budget will impact the tax rate, she said.
The last property valuation was completed in 2008, she said.
The town has raised $60,000 over the past two years. Residents will vote Saturday whether to authorize the final $17,000.
The meeting will be held at 10 a.m. at Leeds Central School, 1185 Route 106.
Additionally, residents will vote to elect one director for Maine School Administrative District 52 and one selectman, each for three years.
Jimmy Childs will challenge incumbent Crystal Barus, who has served on the school board for three years.
“If re-elected, I will continue to support the administration and staff in our district’s mission of providing excellence in education to the students of our district,” Barus said. “I am especially passionate about our district remaining fiscally responsible, preparing our students for life after high school, and the development and retention of our amazing staff.”
Childs said he is running to “bring back better education and help provide focus on higher learning rather (than) social economics and shine a (light) on the sexual indoctrination of students (through) things like library media.”
Selectman Dwight Buckley is running unopposed. He has served on the board for more than 12 years.
Polls will be open Friday from 1 to 8 p.m. at the Town Office.
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