East Hampton Tax Rate Would Increase 1.14 Mills Under New Budget

East Hampton’s tax rate would increase by more than 1 mill under the townwide budget proposal of $39.8 million for 2013-2014.

The budget includes a $28 million Board of Education budget and a $9.7 million general government (town operations) budget. The spending plan also calls for $1.1 million for debt service.

The increase for the entire budget for next year is $1,447,660, or 3.78 percent. The  next fiscal year begins July 1.

In his budget address to the Town Council and Board of Finance Town Manager Michael Maniscalco said “Balancing the ongoing services the Town needs while at the same time recognizing the current economy is no easy task. This Budget document attempts to do that very thing. It allows us to continue to move forward by maintaining current levels of service delivery while shifting funds to meet new and ever changing short term priorities. This budget document reflects some of the long term goals of the community by funding and putting into place a foundation to build upon in subsequent fiscal years.”

Maniscalco has developed a guide for residents to help them understand the budget and the process of developing it. You can view a PDF of the guide above.

or $1.4 million next year under the school board’s spending and revenue proposal. The town operations increase would be $289,538.

Under the spending plan the town’s tax rate, currently at 25.97 mills, would have to increase by 1.16 mills in the next fiscal year, Mansicalco said.

He said he is seeking no new town positions next year in the proposed budget and is currently negotiating new contracts with several unions that represent town employees. Those negotiations, he said, should be completed by the end of this fiscal year and he has set aside budget funds for any wage increase they yield.

The finance board is currently reviewing the budget.