Houlton board to consider 2007 budget

HOULTON – The newly elected members of the board of budget review will gather for another lengthy meeting tonight, as the panel continues to review and make recommendations about the town’s fiscal year 2007 budget.

The budget panel, which met for the first time late last week, is charged with looking over the 2007 computations and making recommendations that then will be considered by the Town Council for final approval.

Tonight, the board will consider the budgets submitted by the town’s parks and recreation, fire, ambulance, health and social services and cemetery departments.

Town Manager Douglas Hazlett presented the first draft of next year’s more than $8.2 million budget to councilors last month. The draft reflects an increase of approximately $482,061 over the fiscal year 2006 forecast. The projected figure could change, however, as the town is expecting to see a $181,000 increase in revenue as well.

Hazlett called the initial fiscal forecast “encouraging,” and councilors were optimistic that they could hold the mill rate steady at $18.50 per $1,000 of valuation.

Keeping the tax rate down appeared daunting after councilors adopted an extensive capital plan for the town in September.

The report identifies and sets priorities for major projects that the town should spend money on in the next five years and estimates a price tag for each undertaking.

The capital plan identified several projects that need attention. Among other things, it pointed out that the furnace at the town’s Public Works Department building is more than 60 years old, and the gymnasium floor at the Gentle Memorial Building needs to be replaced.

During the past few months, the council discussed ways to secure the estimated $1.1 million that is needed to complete the projects without inflating the tax rate.

They eventually drafted a plan for 2007 that calls for them to invest in only the most essential items, replace old furnaces to enhance fuel efficiency and save money in the long term, and put aside money to fund future projects.

The budget committee will hold two meetings this week and will review the portion of the budget that has been set aside public buildings next year during a meeting Wednesday evening.

The board is expected to present their revisions and budget recommendations to the council on Jan. 4.