ROCKLAND, Maine — A proposal by a Rockland member of the Knox County budget committee to have no spending increases in 2015 was roundly rejected Thursday night as the panel and county commissioners gave final approval to the 2015 budget package.
The $9.8 million budget will mean municipalities across the county will see an average 5 percent increase in their county taxes.
The budget drew little interest at a public hearing in October. And on Thursday night, only one citizen spoke at the final hearing, urging support for increased funding for the Midcoast Economic Development District. The county officials added $10,000 for the organization.
During the final budget review, committee member Steve Carroll, who joined the panel this year, requested that the proposed budget be reduced so there would be no increase for 2015.
“My motion was of course overwhelmingly defeated, and later, the commissioners voted to add another $10,000 to make it slightly more than a 5 percent increase,” Carroll said in a written statement after the vote. “What can I say. Feels like I am swimming upstream.”
Carroll regularly attends Rockland City Council meetings and urges them to impose major spending cuts.
Carol Maines, chair of county commissioners, said Carroll was the only person supporting his motion. She said she was pleased overall with the budget.
The 2015 budget approved Thursday night will require about $320,000 more in property taxes be raised than the 2014 budget.
The 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.
In addition to higher expenses, the county expects to have less revenue. The county used $230,000 in surplus last year to offset tax hikes but is projecting to use only $100,000 from surplus this year. Revenues from the registry of deeds department also are down $52,000.
The combination means that communities will see higher tax assessments. Camden will pay an additional $55,000 under the budget, reaching $1.25 million. Rockport will see the largest increase at $72,000, bringing its assessment up to slightly more than $1 million. Rockland will pay an additional $38,000, reaching $920,000.
Knox 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 $1,997,000, up about 4 percent. The communications budget is down about 1 percent, to $1 million. The airport budget is proposed at $574,000, up 16 percent. The administration budget is proposed at $498,000, down slightly.