Taxpayers get break under town budget plan

Bristol taxpayers will likely be relieved about the 10-cent tax cut detailed in the town's 2008-09 proposed budget, which itself would increase about $1.9 million to $43.94 million, including school aid.

But Bristol Town Administrator Diane Mederos is "unsatisfied" with the town's fiscal health and is uncertain of how the budget will end up in the face of state tax levy caps and reduced aid.

In a letter accompanying her proposed budget, Ms. Mederos said there may soon be a need for "privatizing given services, reducing the workforce, modifying services offered or changing the level of services provided." She said the town expects an "uncomfortable situation" to come by next year — to probably reduce the work force — in order to keep its town-provided services.

Ms. Mederos said Bristol, like other towns and cities statewide, is faced with tight budget constraints. She said Bristol does not yet know how much state funding it will get or when it will find out.

In the proposed budget's revenue table, the town expects to receive about $3.59 million in state aid, about $61,970 less than last year.

Tax levies, the maximum amount the town can collect from taxation, is also mandated by the state.

Town treasurer John Day said the state's requirements are that Bristol cannot levy taxes more than $1.5 million, a 5-percent increase from last year.

As for the budget, Ms. Mederos said Bristol cannot increase more than what the state allows, which it will tell Bristol at next Thursday's joint finance meeting.

"We'll have to back into that number in the face of increasing prices for gas, oil, benefits and salaries," she said. "Where do we make cuts?"

Town Council chairman Kenneth Marshall said he shared the same state-restriction concerns as Ms. Mederos.

"Serious infrastructure repairs or capital improvements need to be phased in with long-term planning over time in order to spread the cost out so tax payers can afford it," he said.

Mr. Marshall, however, said Bristol is in better shape than most towns and is "ahead of the curve from past years in creative financing and financial protection."

"It looks like we'll be able to help the tax payer instead of adding to their burdens," he said. "I'm pleasantly surprised, because this session is normally a grueling and difficult time for all of us. We will continue to work to that end looking for unique ways to offset budget cost."

The public hearing of the proposed budget with the town council's recommendations will be held on Wednesday, April 9.

What are the proposed changes?

The following are the changes in the 2008-09 municipal budget proposed by Bristol Town Administrator Diane Mederos, broken down by department:

Spending increases

*Animal control: Up 1.2 percent, to $124,388

*Board of Canvassers: Up 75.9 percent, to $30,125

*Boards and commissions: Up 1.3 percent, to $37,710

*Bristol-Warren School District: Up 4.4 percent, to $19,342,364

*Composting facility: Up 21.5 percent, to $650,294

*Civic services: Up 1.8 percent, to $992,100

*Finance Department: Up 1.6 percent, to $452,678

*Fire Department: Up 8.9 percent, to $725,959

*Fixed charges: Up 2.9 percent, to $4,794,950

*Harbor Patrol: Up 9.5 percent, to $201,020

*Human Resources: UP 3.2 percent, to $158,550

*Human Services: Up 7 percent, to $30,275

*Inspection: Up 10.2 percent, to $141,400

*Recreation: Up 8.1 percent, to $336,331

*Police Department: Up 4.8 percent, to $3,435,298

*Public Works: Up 6.5 percent, to $2,100,396

*Rogers Free Library: Up 77.3 percent, to $471,322

*Senior Center: Up 6.3 percent, to $111,133

*Town Administrator: Up 1.2 percent, to $140,354

*Town Solicitor: Up 3.6 percent, to $134,750

Spending decreases

*Community Development: Down .03 percent, to $318,818

*Debt Service: Down 4.1 percent, to $2,483,128

*Enterprise Fund: Down 7.5 percent, to $2,854,871

*Municipal Court: Down 6 percent, to $23,250

*Town Clerk: Down .7 percent, to $262,591

*Town Council: Down 2.4 percent, to $101,500

*Town Hall complex: Down 1.8 percent, to $201,587

*Water Polution Control: Down 11 percent, to $1,119,673

*Municipal Observances: No change; $41,500

By Jeremy Rosen

jrosen@eastbaynewspapers.com

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