Oxford County Commission Chairperson David Duguay of Byron, center background, presides Oct. 22 at the joint public hearing of commissioners and the county Budget Committee at the county building in Paris. Evan W. Houk/Advertiser Democrat

PARIS — The initial draft of the Oxford County budget for fiscal year 2024-25 is $17.7 million, a 23.9% increase from last year.

County commissioners held a public hearing with the nine-member county Budget Committee on Oct. 22, where each department head presented their budgets and organizations requesting funds explained their proposals.

The minimum amount of taxes required to be raised is $14.95 million, up 35.6% from last year’s $11.02 million.

The property tax rate on the total $11.32 million property valuation in Oxford County is $1.32 per $1,000 of valuation, up 37.8% from last year.

The initial tax assessments for each of the 35 towns in Oxford County, as well as the unorganized territories, range from a high of $1.27 million for Newry to a low of $47,070 for Upton.

The administration and finance budget category jumped 30.7% to $828,759.

The Sheriff’s Office budget increased by 22.1% to $3.98 million. The cost of a police cruiser has gone from about $37,000 to $58,000, Sheriff Christopher Wainwright explained.

The Regional Communications Center budget is $1.58 million, up 21.9%.

County Administrator Zane Loper explained that the county is building up the reserves for the new public safety building it is planning to build in the next few years.

Communications Director Geffrey Inman said the center is still working on getting up to full staffing levels, with three spots still open.

“We’ve hired some part-time people, people from other agencies coming in to help us,” Inman said.

Commissioners will hold another workshop with the Budget Committee at 6 p.m. Nov. 19 at the county courthouse on Western Avenue.