How Would Budget Proposals Change Your Taxes?

If proposed 2013-2014 budgets remain unchanged, the tax rate for Canton home owners would go up between 2.54 and 3.03 percent. For the home with a market value of $361,429 and an assessed value of $253,000 that would mean and additional $170 to $202.  

That number is based on a worksheet released by the town of Canton at the Board of Finance budget hearing Monday night and revised Wednesday. (The attached graphic contains unrevised numbers and Patch is having technical difficulty with uploading the new one). 

Just three members of the general public attended the hearing.

The increase estimates would take affect if the budget proposals and revenue estimates remain unchanged. The Board of Finance could also make spending cuts, which would change the impact.

The reason for the two numbers is due to the fact that it is not yet known if the town will carry debt for the garage and roads projects slated for spring referendum.

The proposed 2013-2014 budgets and their increases over the approved 2012-2013 budgets are as follows.

• Board of Selectmen — $9.5 million, a $366,499 or 3.99 percent increase
• Board of Education — $24.2 million, a $808,108 or 3.45 percent increase
• Board of Finance if two pending projects are approved — $1.5 million, a decrease of $339,993 or 18.26 percent
• Board of Finance without the two projects slated to be on ballot this spring but including the two approved last fall — $1.3 million, a decrease of $480,391 or 25.80 percent 

(Note the Board of Finance budget includes debt payments for large projects “bonded” by the town. Those payments fluctuate so the impact will not be the same year to year. See the second attached spreadsheet for proposed impact if all projects go forward. Also note the spreadsheets are for "illustration only" and assume certain increases in the operating budget, capital improvement projects and the grand list). 

Only two residents spoke at the Monday's hearing.

John Mason, praised the school system and noted that with the $1.2 million in contractual increases and other rising expenses, the Board of Education had done a great job in controlling costs.

“While the 3.45 percent perhaps doesn’t sound fiscally conservative — in light of the obligations I would hope the Board of Finance would support that budget.”

 “I just want to voice my support for the Board of Education budget tonight,” added resident Julie Ausere. “We live in tough economic times and I think they’ve done a great job trimming where they can.” 

With the proposed budget numbers and a small grand list increase, the Board of Finance said there remains a $749,604 "gap" with the two projects and $890,002 with all four. 

While the Board of Finance could also make cuts the following numbers were given with the currently proposed numbers.

If the garage and roads projects pass in the spring, the mill rate would go from 26.42 to 27.22 and the average owner of a home with market value of $361,429 and assessed value of $253,000 would see taxes go from $6,684 to $6,887, for a $202 or 3.03 percent increase. 

Without those projects in the mix the mill rate would go to 27.09 and that same homeowner would pay $6,854, an increase of $170 or 2.54 percent.

On April 2, the Board of Finance will hold a budget workshop and likely decide on a final number to present to the public. 

This year's budget would likely go to referendum, with residents voting on the proposal and the two capital projects. 

See more budget information on the town's web site .