FARMINGTON — Rising county and school assessments are driving most of the increase in Farmington’s proposed $16.58 million budget, while municipal spending is expected to rise about 1.7%, Town Manager Erica LaCroix said May 6 during a public budget presentation.

The proposal would require raising about $12.9 million through property taxes after subtracting an estimated $3.6 million in revenue, with a projected tax rate of $12.10 per $1,000 of assessed value. For a home assessed at $300,000, that would mean an estimated annual tax bill of about $3,629.

Residents will vote on the budget at the May 11 annual town meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Farmington Community Center. Voters will also consider articles related to a new ladder truck and a proposed multiuse bridge over the Sandy River.

LaCroix said the proposed budget is an increase of 4.65% overall compared to the last full-year budget, but only about $159,000 of the roughly $736,000 increase comes from municipal spending. Most of it is tied to school and county costs outside the town’s control.

“The town-only portion of that, meaning not county and school, is 1.7%,” LaCroix said.

Budget documents show municipal spending accounts for about 45.1% of the proposed tax distribution, while education represents 44.2% and county government about 10.7%.

The proposed budget includes about $5.72 million for education and an estimated $1.38 million county assessment.

LaCroix said Farmington faces additional pressure because about 33% of property in town is tax exempt, including county buildings, state offices, the hospital and nonprofit organizations.

“We are the service center for Franklin County,” LaCroix said. “That puts an increased burden on our town services such as police, fire, our public works department and notably our general assistance.”

She said Farmington police and fire departments provide mutual aid four times more often than the town receives it.

Town expenses continue to be affected by rising wages, energy costs and public safety expenses, LaCroix said. The budget includes a 45-cent-per-hour cost-of-living adjustment for employees, merit increases tied to years of service and additional room in the police budget while contract negotiations continue.

Fuel and utility costs were another major focus during the presentation.

“We do have a new contract in place as of the 14th of April that is locking in our heating fuel prices,” LaCroix said. “$3.80 for number two fuel and $1.58 for propane.”

LaCroix also outlined several efforts intended to limit spending increases.

She said recreation programs were moved into a revolving account structure intended to offset costs with program revenues rather than property taxes.

The town also reduced some routine road maintenance spending because much of this summer’s focus will be on the Main Street construction project, she said.

Supporting Sponsor for Franklin Journal, Livermore Falls Advertiser, Rangeley Highlander and Rumford Falls Times.
Keeping communities informed by supporting local news. franklinsavings.bank