AUBURN — The City Council approved next year’s $54.25 million municipal budget in a final reading Monday, and began finalizing its capital improvement expenses to be voted on next month.

The council voted 5-2 to support next year’s spending plan, the same tally as during the first reading on May 7.

The fiscal 2025 budget, which runs from July 1 to June 30, 2025, would result in a $1.36 increase to the property tax rate.

At $24.11 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, it would add roughly $204 to the annual tax bill of a resident with a home valued at $150,000 or $340 to a home valued at $250,000.

However, city officials have said that an expected increase in citywide valuation will likely reduce the projected impact to the tax rate.

The only comments Monday came from Councilor Belinda Gerry, who echoed similar comments she made when she voted against the budget earlier this month.

She said she believes there’s too many administrative positions in various departments.

“In future years, we’re going to have to figure out a way to downsize the top-heavy managerial workers,” she said.

City Manager Phil Crowell countered with data from the last several years, which he said shows that leadership positions have remained consistent.

He said the total number of staff has risen by 10 positions over the last 10 years but that many of them have been offset by other funds.

A referendum on the $62.12 million school budget will be held June 11.

During an earlier workshop Monday, the council discussed a proposed $13.69 million in capital improvement bonding for next year, with a first reading scheduled for June 3.

The largest items include funding for road reconstruction, reclamation and resurfacing, but the plan also includes $2 million toward the Engine 2 fire station reconstruction project, which was planned as part of an overhaul of Auburn public safety facilities. Voters approved the bulk of that project last year when they OK’d a new joint police and fire headquarters on Minot Avenue.

Crowell said the city will bond the funds for the projects in phases.

Other items include boiler replacements at both Auburn Hall and the Auburn Public Library, costing roughly $550,000 each; and several items related to sidewalks, downtown walkability and pedestrian upgrades.