WILTON — The Board of Selectpersons made budget recommendations Monday amounting to $3.11 million in expenses, an increase of about $24,000 over last year. But an increase in revenues means the tax burden will go down.
Taxpayers would have to raise $2.08 million, or about $13,000 less than last year, Town Manager Rhonda Irish said. Revenues are expected to be up, at $1.03 million, or $38,000 more than last year.
The budget will be presented for a vote at the annual town meeting May 22.
The total net increase, expenses minus revenues, initially increased the budget by $26,000 until the state’s revenue-sharing estimates were released Friday, Irish said.
Wilton is expecting to receive $35,000 more, or a total of $265,000, from revenue-sharing.
The recommended town budget provides $50,000 from the Undesignated Fund balance for the Building Demolition Account; $25,000 for the Capital Building Improvement fund for roof improvements on the Public Safety Building and increases in some departments to cover employee compensation and employer contributions.
On a 4-1 vote, selectpersons recommended adding $3,000 for Safe Voices. Selectperson Jeff Adams voted against the motion.
Hillary Hooke, community educator for Safe Voices, gave a short presentation on the services the nonprofit agency provides to local people.
“The need is great,” she said. “Franklin County has a higher-than-average amount of domestic violence.”
Selectpersons voted unanimously to give no money to the American Red Cross, which asked for $500; Work First, which requested $700; and LifeFlight, which sought $1,029.
Four selectpersons also voted to move $17,000 from debt service into a capital improvement fund for the Fire Department. Selectperson Jeff Rowe abstained because he is a member of the department.
Voters will consider buying a light rescue/brush truck to replace the squad truck. The estimated cost is $110,500, with $13,000 from the capital account. The first loan payment is estimated to be $17,000.
Selectpersons Ruth Cushman and John Black asked why the amount was under debt service before voters decided whether to buy the vehicle. They thought it should be put under a capital account for the department.
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