FARMINGTON – The Franklin County Budget Committee approved a $4.84 million spending plan Monday to cover county operations in 2008.

The panel’s budget is $27,561 less than the $4.87 million budget proposed by the County Commission, with most of the difference reflecting actual insurance costs that were not available when commissioners advanced their budget in October.

The budget committee’s proposal represents $177,230 more than the existing budget or 3.80 percent, factoring in revenues. The commission’s budget reflects a $206,791 increase or 4.39 percent.

Commissioners take up the budget committee plan at 9 a.m. today at their office at the county courthouse. It would take a unanimous vote of commissioners to overturn the panel’s budget. If that does happen, the proposal would go back to the budget committee and need a two-thirds majority vote to make an adjustment.

Only a few comments were made during the public hearing on the budget, with most targeting cost of living raises for nonunion employees.

Rangeley Town Manager Perry Ellsworth questioned why there was 3 percent factored into the budget for COLA increases for nonunion employees while commissioners were allowing for a 2 percent raise.

Commissioners approved a 2 percent increase for nonunion workers in November but had approved 3 percent raised in the October budget proposal.

Budget panel Chairman David Archer said the group factored in a 3 percent wage increase for the 27 nonunion workers but only commissioners have the authority to give it.

Ellsworth said the extra 1 percent being raised but not spent could add up to significantly more that Rangeley will have to raise for its share of county taxes. Taxpayers there raised about $500,000 for county taxes in 2007 and Ellsworth said he anticipates it rising to $600,000 or more.

County Clerk Julie Magoon said commissioners are in the midst of contract negotiations with union employees and they are trying to bargain in good faith. In past contract negotiation years budgets did not include enough money for union raises to be considered bargaining in good faith, she said.

Commissioners could decide to increase nonunion employee wages in the middle of the year, if they wanted to, if union negotiations are concluded, Magoon said.

The budget includes 2 percent raises for union employees plus signing bonuses.

Ellsworth said all that is factored into the budget for union workers, including signing bonuses and step increases, adds up to more than a 2 percent increase. All employees should be treated fairly, he said.

Sheriff Dennis Pike concurred with Ellsworth.

If you’re going to put 3 percent in the budget for raises for nonunion workers, they should get it, Ellsworth said. But just to raise the money and not give it to anybody is a frivolous move.

“They’re raising extra cash they don’t need,” Ellsworth said.

Commissioner Fred Hardy of New Sharon said that he questioned putting in 3 percent for raises early on when he thought 2 percent was fair enough. But another commissioner pointed out that just because you raise it doesn’t mean you have to spend it, he said.

As far as raising extra money, Hardy said, they have to cover negotiations, which have been on-going for 18 months.

Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Ray Meldrum said that after a 2002 wage study was implemented union people all got substantial increases while nonunion people received a 1.5 percent increase the first year with no consideration for years served and another 1.5 percent increase the second year with consideration for years served.

Nonunion workers don’t get steps or overtime and even with a 3 percent increase it is a long way from meeting the wage study, Meldrum said.