ORLEANS – Orleans Town Administrator John Kelly presented his recommended operating budget to selectmen last month for Fiscal Year 2018 and it includes a 2.5 percent increase allowed by state law.
A property tax increase of 8.4 percent is projected in the budget that will cover a number of expenditures, according to Kelly.
“The drivers of the additional increase are debt exclusions, water fees that were incorrectly applied to the general fund revenues and debt and the proposed increases for building and facilities and motor vehicle and equipment in the stabilization funds next year, make up the difference,” said Kelly.
Kelly also submitted the capital budget for the upcoming fiscal year and the Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) for fiscal years 2019-2023.
Projects budgeted for this year’s CIP include $2.5 million to install a larger water main on Beach Road and $13.6 million to construct the DPW/Natural Resources building.
“The non-school operating budget expenditures, necessary to maintain core town services was limited to a two and a half percent increase next year,” said Kelly. “As proposed, the non-school operating budget is up 2.5 percent.”
Non-property taxes would rise 3.9 percent, to account for nearly 28 percent of total revenue.
Selectmen have scheduled a meeting with the finance committee at a public hearing on Thursday and have another meeting scheduled on February 27 to work on the operating and capital budgets.
By JUSTIN SAUNDERS, CapeCod.com Newscenter
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