FROM THE NEWSROOM: In Thompson, the proposed budget for the 2014-15 fiscal year has been passed on to town referendum. The budget proposal introduces an increase of slightly over half a mil, raising the overall mil rate to 22.95, and was passed by the finance board in a four to one vote Thursday. Taxpayers are encouraged vote on the budget at referendum on Monday, May 19th. Board member Aaron McGarry says he voted against passing the budget, with the citizen’s ability to pay increasing taxes in mind. He indicated the many priorities that the Board has to balance in making their decision, and how important each one is to the community. There are roads that need to be paved, rising healthcare costs to pay, schools to fund and many other services to provide. If the budget does not pass at referendum, it will then be up to the Board to decide which of these areas to cut from. The proposed budget sits at $23,989,357. Capital expenditures would increase 7.45%, to $690,200 and debt service would decrease 1.75% to $887,713, while the general town budget would increase 1.48% to $5,047,546 and the Board of Education budget would increase 3.9% to $17,363,898. According to Dr. Michael Jolin, Superintendent of Schools, the increase is due in large part to changes in healthcare which are taking place. One aspect of the town’s finances that looks healthy is the surplus. With an addition of $100,000 from tax sales, the resulting number comes out to $2,221,782, which is 9.6% of Thompson’s proposed budget. Tune in for the full report.
Posted on: Fri, 02 May 2014 12:18:48 +0000
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