Erin CAO Kathryn Ironmonger has directed Town staff to come up with an initial draft budget for 2014 based on a 3% tax increase.
That’s a big change from last year’s budget process, which started with a wish list budget requiring a 32% increase for the Town portion of the tax bill, which was whittled down to a 15% increase.
The first budget meeting is set for March 5 at 7 pm, with presentation of both an operating and capital budget. A public meeting, similar to one held last year, will also be held to explain the budget before it undergoes final changes and approval.
Council also hopes to approve for the first time a Five Year Capital Plan that schedules future major projects according to priority, without approving actual expenditures that are decided year by year.
