ROCKLAND, Maine — A public hearing on a proposed Knox County budget that would see local communities’ county taxes rise by more than 5 percent attracted no one from the general public Thursday evening.
The only people in attendance were either county officials or representatives of organizations seeking contributions from the county.
The budget presented to county commissioners and the county budget committee at their first joint review calls for spending to rise $344,000, reaching nearly $9.8 million for 2015.
County Administrator Andrew Hart said the budget was bare bones and that increased expenses are due, in part, to higher personnel costs. Employees will be receiving 3.6 percent pay increases and health insurance costs are expected to rise 7 percent.
In addition to higher expenses, the county expects to have less revenue. The county used $230,000 in surplus last year but is projecting to use only $100,000 this year. Revenues from the registry of deeds department also is down $52,000.
The combination means that communities will see higher tax assessments. Camden will pay an additional $55,000 under the proposed budget, reaching $1.25 million. Rockport will see the largest increase with an increase of $72,000, bringing it up to slightly more than $1 million. Rockland will pay an additional $38,000, reaching $920,000.
Hart said he has cut some proposed staff additions requested by department heads. The sheriff’s office had asked for an additional patrol supervisor and the airport had wanted to increase the hours for an administrative assistant position.
The county’s share of the jail budget accounts for the single largest expense at $3,573,000, the same as in 2014. The sheriff’s patrol budget is proposed at $1,954,000, up about 4 percent. The communications budget is down about 1 percent to $1 million. The airport budget is proposed at $570,000, up 16 percent. The administration budget is proposed at $527,000, also up about 4 percent.