In Brunswick, a proposed budget of $101.97 million for the upcoming fiscal year has been put forward, which would lead to an approximate 3% increase in the local tax rate. The budget proposal, presented by Town Manager Julia Henze to the Town Council, will be the subject of a public hearing scheduled for April 28. The council plans to make a final decision on the budget on May 15, with implementation set for July 1.
Under the proposed plan, homeowners with properties valued at $350,000 would experience a $245 rise in their property taxes due to the tax rate increasing from $23.85 to $24.55 per $1,000 of assessed value. The budget encompasses municipal and school department expenditures, as well as the county tax assessment, and assumes no change in total property value in anticipation of this year’s revaluation.
The school budget, a significant component of the total budget, has been set at $57.71 million, representing a 5.26% increase from the prior year. This would lead to an estimated 1.8% increase in the tax rate. Education remains the largest expenditure for the town, comprising more than half of the total budget. A referendum for the school budget is planned for June 10.
The municipal spending is projected to increase by approximately $530,000, driven largely by personnel costs, service contracts, and transfers to reserve funds. Town Hall will adopt a four-day workweek, aiming to reduce costs. The county tax assessment is expected to rise by about $190,000, marking a 9.5% increase from the previous fiscal year.
The council has also scheduled a public hearing for the capital improvement plan, which is financed by a $2.27 million fund balance intended for one-time expenses. Allocations include upgrades to the police station parking lot, the recreation center roof, street and culvert projects, and improvements to schools and the Curtis Memorial Library.
Additionally, tax increment financing funds will support various initiatives, such as construction on Maine Street, revitalization at Cook’s Corner, and transit expenses, along with backing organizations like the Brunswick Downtown Association. Detailed information on the town’s full proposed budget can be accessed on the Brunswick website.
