EASTPORT – City councilors have approved a 2002-03 municipal and school budget that holds the line on property taxes.

City manager George “Bud” Finch said Tuesday that the budget represents a 2.2 percent decrease from the current year’s spending plan. The total budget is $1.7 million, or $130,234 less than the current year.

Finch said he structured the budget this year so taxpayers could see how the money would be spent. The city councilors overwhelmingly approved the plan Monday night, and Finch said he is cautiously optimistic it won’t change.

Like all municipal leaders this year, Finch has his eyes on Augusta and the $180 million state budget shortfall there.

“We have absolutely nothing in this budget that forecasts the $180 million shortfall. A supplementary budget could possibly have to happen should that $180 million reflect directly on revenues to the city,” he said. “That is the fear. What is the percentage of impact on the community? That is what we all sit and worry about.”

Finch said the municipal side of the Eastport budget “is made up of two parts: the first part – administration, public works, cemetery, police and fire – and the second part, which we’re responsible for but we don’t really have any control over.”

“They are services you have to have. You pay a hydrant rental to the Water District. It’s a percentage set by the Public Utilities Commission. You have to pay it. You have to have municipal solid waste. It’s controlled by the solid waste district. You have your ambulance. You have your county tax. These are all areas that are controlled by other organizations, and if you want the service, that is the price you pay,” Finch said.

“We are a member of those organizations, and we strive to help keep the costs down, but as far as the municipal side goes, part two is separate,” he added.

As a result, Finch said, there are increases in the budget. He said the county tax rose from $111,643 to $125,154. The cost of ambulance service increased by $2,000, to $25,000.

But even with those increases, the new budget is down from the current year.

“Our tax rate is anticipated to be at $27.10, which is down 60 cents from the previous year,” he said. On a $100,000 home the new property tax will be $2,710, or $60 less than the year before.