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May 28. 2012 8:56PM
Berlin voters to chime in on town spending
BERLIN — In three weeks Berlin property owners should have a better idea what they will pay in city taxes for the coming year, though they got a chance to chime in on spending last week.
Few did, though, with Patrick McQueen, Berlin city manager, said the hearing for the $32 million budget on May 23 was quiet, with mostly city and school employees in the council chambers. The hearing lasted about an hour.
The first reading of the Berlin budget resolution will be June 4. The council will make any changes and take the final vote at the second reading on June 18.
The current year's general fund budget is $31,789,106.
The city's county tax obligation increased from $1,450,000 to $1,778,800.
If nothing changes from now until then, property owners would see a $.53 increase on their tax bills. McQueen said it's possible that could change, as final figures for revenues, assessments, and the fiscal year 2012 surplus funds come in. The current tax rate is $31.70.
The budget that was first presented to the council at the start of the budget season would have raised taxes over $3 a thousand. All councilors and the mayor serve on the budget committee and met throughout the winter and spring with city department heads, as they worked to pare down the tax increase.
Reduced in the budget presented at the hearing were a half-time secretary, two positions in the solid waste department, one firefighter, and one parks and recreation employee. MacQueen said positions could be put back in the budget if final numbers change for the good.
According to minutes from the hearing, the firefighter whose position would be eliminated did speak up. Justin Jacques, who was hired last year, said he bought a house in Berlin, his hometown, and wants to stay and raise a family.
The welfare budget is up, as the state down shifts costs to local municipalities, according to state Rep. Gary Coulombe. The welfare budget in fiscal year 2012 was $85,881, but spending in that department surpassed that by early 2012, with six months left in the fiscal year. The proposed budget for Berlin Welfare Department in fiscal year 2013 is $124,422.
The Berlin school system's operating budget is $16,311,124 for the year soon ending. For fiscal year 2013, that budget line is $16,761,124.
MacQueen said that a requested match of $500 for the Babe Ruth Program generated the most discussion.
Few did, though, with Patrick McQueen, Berlin city manager, said the hearing for the $32 million budget on May 23 was quiet, with mostly city and school employees in the council chambers. The hearing lasted about an hour.
The first reading of the Berlin budget resolution will be June 4. The council will make any changes and take the final vote at the second reading on June 18.
The current year's general fund budget is $31,789,106.
The city's county tax obligation increased from $1,450,000 to $1,778,800.
If nothing changes from now until then, property owners would see a $.53 increase on their tax bills. McQueen said it's possible that could change, as final figures for revenues, assessments, and the fiscal year 2012 surplus funds come in. The current tax rate is $31.70.
The budget that was first presented to the council at the start of the budget season would have raised taxes over $3 a thousand. All councilors and the mayor serve on the budget committee and met throughout the winter and spring with city department heads, as they worked to pare down the tax increase.
Reduced in the budget presented at the hearing were a half-time secretary, two positions in the solid waste department, one firefighter, and one parks and recreation employee. MacQueen said positions could be put back in the budget if final numbers change for the good.
According to minutes from the hearing, the firefighter whose position would be eliminated did speak up. Justin Jacques, who was hired last year, said he bought a house in Berlin, his hometown, and wants to stay and raise a family.
The welfare budget is up, as the state down shifts costs to local municipalities, according to state Rep. Gary Coulombe. The welfare budget in fiscal year 2012 was $85,881, but spending in that department surpassed that by early 2012, with six months left in the fiscal year. The proposed budget for Berlin Welfare Department in fiscal year 2013 is $124,422.
The Berlin school system's operating budget is $16,311,124 for the year soon ending. For fiscal year 2013, that budget line is $16,761,124.
MacQueen said that a requested match of $500 for the Babe Ruth Program generated the most discussion.
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