News

Town of Bath budget up more than 10%

by Trish Rudder

The Town of Bath budget of $875,174 was increased by 11.8% for fiscal year 2022-23.

The increase of $92,453 over last year’s budget of $782,721 goes into effect July 1 and ends June 30, 2023.

Projected revenue

The bulk of the town’s revenue comes from a projected property tax collection of $178,869.

Some of the larger projected revenue sources include an estimated $108,000 on refuse collection, $90,000 in hotel occupancy tax, $60,000 on excise tax on utilities, $46,000 on the business and occupation tax, $45,600 in contributions from other entities, $30,000 in fines, fees and court costs, $30,000 on street fees, $28,000 in parking meter revenues, $26,000 in wine and liquor tax, and $24,000 in police protection fees.

Project expenses

The town’s largest expense is the $257,995 cost for the police department. At 29.5%, it is close to one-third of the total budget and is $1,895 more than last year’s budget. Councilwoman Rose Jackson said the police department has one full time officer along with Police Chief Tony Link and one part time officer. She said part of the budget increase is due to inflated gas prices.

The town projects it will spend $179,478 for the garbage department. Last year’s budget of $140,660 was revised to $168,680 due to increased costs of repair and maintenance and an increase in landfill fees, according to Town Clerk Sharron Corrick.

The $10,798 or 6.4% increase in the new budget includes another $5,000 for maintenance and higher costs for fuel, Corrick said.

The town also projects it will spend $125,430 on streets and highways, $89,820 for the City Clerk’s office, $35,870 for City Hall, $40,000 on street construction, and $16,000 on street lights.

It also projects it will disburse $45,000 to the travel council, $34,600 to Parks & Recreation, $4,500 to arts and humanities, $1,800 to the historical commission, $2,100 to fair associations and festivals, and $2,000 to the rails and trails project.

Levy rates begin July 1

The net amount to be raised by the levy of property taxes in the town is $178,869.

The rates for the two classes of real estate in the town were the same as fiscal year 2021-22.

Town officials approved the tax rate of 25.00 cents per $100 of assessed value for Class II properties inside the town limits.

Class IV properties, which include all other property inside the town limits, will be taxed at a rate of 50.00 cents per $100 of assessed value.

The Bath town council adopted the levy rates at the April 19 meeting.

Property owners will see the approved tax rates on their new tax bills in July.

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