Canton CAO Proposes 2013-2014 Budget With 3.83 Percent Increase

Canton Chief Administrative Officer Robert Skinner has a proposed a 2013-2014 budget with a 3.83 percent increase over the 2012-2013 plan. 

The budget proposal is $9,541,386, $352,007 more than the 2012-2013 budget of $9,189,379. 

While recent budgets have been kept very low and state funding is still a little uncertain, the town has staffing and maintenance needs that need addressing, Skinner said in his budget address. 

"I think it meets the town's needs while taking into consideration the difficult economic times we're still in," Skinner said. 

The board of selectmen's operations budget, essentially the town's day-to-days costs, is proposed at $8,611,886, a 3.45 percent increase over the current $8,324,629.

Driving factors, according to the budget are 

• Insurance Benefits (77,024)
• Creation of the new Fire/EMS Business Manager Position (42,510)
• General Wage and Union Increases (91,500)
• Increased maintenance expenses for office and recreational facilities (32,900).

The budget also includes a proposal for a senior center coordinator at 16 hours a week. 

Capital Improvements is proposed at $929,500, a 7.49 percent increase. Nearly half the spending there is proposed for roads ($450,000) and $356,000 is set aside to go toward Department of Public Works and Emergency Vehicle replacement plans. 

The preliminary plan does not include Board of Education spending or debt service. 

Selectmen held a workshop Monday and will continue those tonight and Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the Community Center to begin reviewing the plan. See the entire proposal here.

The budget timeline can also be view at the town's web site.