Budget Calls For No Tax Hike
By Doug La Rocque
The proposed budget presented to the Brunswick Town Board by Supervisor Phil Herrington keeps 2019 tax levels the same as this year. According to the Supervisor, this marks the second year in a row the Town has avoided a tax hike. The 8.89 million dollar spending plan reduces general fund expenditures by $70,627.
The preliminary budget gives all Town employees, including those in the highway department, a two percent raise. Support for the Brunswick Community Library will increase by 7.4 percent. Speaking with The Eastwick Press, Supervisor Herrington said “the library is much more active than in the past, with significantly more people using their services.” He praised Library Director Natalie Hurteau for the job she has done.
Mr. Herrington also commented in general about the process, saying “ in keeping with our overall pattern of tax stability over the long term, I am not proposing any tax increase for 2019. Evan so, we are managing to give out employees a modest raise, maintain all of our youth and community programs at current levels or better, and replace some of our older Highway Department equipment.”
The General Fund tax rate remains steady at $3.32 per thousand of assessed valuation, and the Highway levy holds at $5.28 per thousand. Other components that make up the yearly budget are water and sewer district funding, as well as the town’s five fire companies.