(May 11, 2017) The Berlin Town Council introduced a first reading for a fiscal year 2018 budget on Monday night.
Berlin Mayor Gee Williams said the total budget, including capital expenses, is $19.3 million, a 4.4 percent reduction from the current year.
Williams said the proposed general fund budget is $7.954 million, an 11.4 percent decrease.
The proposed water budget is $1.192 million, up 15 percent. The sewer fund is $480,427, down 2.2 percent, stormwater is $1.499 million, down 29.3 percent, and electric is $5.573 million, up 1.1 percent
Councilman Dean Burrell said town services would not suffer, despite the overall reduction in the budget,
“Yes, this budget represents a 4 percent [decrease] compared to this current year, but services for the public and the citizenry of Berlin will remain the same in every case and/or will be enhanced,” he said.
“Our quality of services will not suffer because of the reduction in this budget, because we have an excellent staff.”
Town Administrator Laura Allen said a public hearing on the proposed budget would be held during a Town Council meeting on June 12. After the hearing, that night, the council could vote to approve or amend the draft.
The council unanimously approved a continuance of the existing property tax rate, which has been $0.68 per $100 of valuation for the last five years. The corporate tax rate will also remain the same, $1.70 per $100.
Berlin Mayor Gee Williams said the total budget, including capital expenses, is $19.3 million, a 4.4 percent reduction from the current year.
Williams said the proposed general fund budget is $7.954 million, an 11.4 percent decrease.
The proposed water budget is $1.192 million, up 15 percent. The sewer fund is $480,427, down 2.2 percent, stormwater is $1.499 million, down 29.3 percent, and electric is $5.573 million, up 1.1 percent
Councilman Dean Burrell said town services would not suffer, despite the overall reduction in the budget,
“Yes, this budget represents a 4 percent [decrease] compared to this current year, but services for the public and the citizenry of Berlin will remain the same in every case and/or will be enhanced,” he said.
“Our quality of services will not suffer because of the reduction in this budget, because we have an excellent staff.”
Town Administrator Laura Allen said a public hearing on the proposed budget would be held during a Town Council meeting on June 12. After the hearing, that night, the council could vote to approve or amend the draft.
The council unanimously approved a continuance of the existing property tax rate, which has been $0.68 per $100 of valuation for the last five years. The corporate tax rate will also remain the same, $1.70 per $100.