March 19, 2011: It's Officially Budget Season

Five things to know about the Mayor's proposed budget for the 2011-12 fiscal year.

1. The first Town Council budget meeting of the season is scheduled for today at 9 a.m. at Town Hall. A public forum is included on the agenda.

2. The budget totals $79,352,355, an increase of $630,896, or .8 percent over the current fiscal year's budget.  If approved by the council without changes, the budget would drop the current tax rate of 30.02 mills to 29.96 mills.

3. The Board of Education budget submitted by the mayor to the council totals $47,462,358, a reduction from the current year's budget of $96,601 or .2 percent.

3. The public safety line item is $7,759,086, a decrease of $80,416, but still enough to keep all 49 officers on the force.

4. The maintenance line item is down by $119,456 to $5,304,177.

5. The capital improvement and debt service line item is up 15.04 percent to $6,318,342.