by Trish Rudder
The Town of Bath budget of $913,731 was increased by $38,557 or 4.4% for fiscal year 2023-24.
The budget goes into effect July 1 and ends June 30, 2024.
The bulk of the town’s revenue comes from a projected property tax collection of $184,926 and an unassigned fund balance of $119,705, a carry-over from fiscal year 2022-23.
Projected revenue
Some of the larger projected revenue sources include an estimated $108,000 on refuse collection, $93,200 in hotel occupancy tax, $60,000 on excise tax on utilities, $46,000 on Business and Occupation Tax, $45,600 in contributions from other entities, $30,000 in fines, fees and court costs, $30,000 in street fees, $28,000 in parking meter revenues, $26,000 in wine and liquor tax and $24,000 in police protection fees.
The coal severance tax fund of $7,000 in revenue that was received from the state will be used as part of the town street paving next year, said Town Clerk Sharron Corrick.
Projected expenses
The town’s largest expense is the $241,250 cost for the police department – a $16,745 decrease from last year’s budget.
New police chief William Carper said recently he was in the process of rebuilding the department with full and part time officers and administrative help.
The town projects it will spend $192,740 – a $13,262 increase over last year for the garbage department due to higher costs for repairs and maintenance and higher costs for fuel and higher landfill fees, Corrick said.
Some of the larger expenses include the town streets and highways at $127,692, $122,724 for City Hall, $46,600 for the Visitors Bureau, $45,655 for street construction, $29,000 for Parks & Recreation, and $17,500 for street lights.
It also projects it will disburse $7,400 to the historical commission, $3,600 to fair associations and festivals, $3,000 to arts and humanities and $2,000 to the rails and trails project, $800 to the Museum Commission and $800 to the Library, as some of the expenses for next year.
Levy rates begin July 1
The net amount to be raised by the levy of property taxes in the town is $184,926.
The rates for the two classes of real estate in the town were the same as fiscal year 2022-23.
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 scheduled the adoption of the levy rates at the April 18 meeting.
Property owners will see the approved tax rates on their new tax bills in July.
