Rothesay town council has finalized their operating budget for next year, which included a one cent increase to the town’s tax rate.
As of January, the rate will be $1.22 per $100 of assessment.
Mayor Nancy Grant says it wasn’t an easy year to budget for.
Grant says the town’s revenues have not been accelerating at the same rate as expenses.
She says most of the things council wanted to get done are covered in the operating budget.
Grant hopes residents aren’t too upset over the one cent rate increase, which she calls “reasonable”.
The total amount for the town’s operating budget is just under $17 million.
28 percent of the town’s budget, at a cost of roughly $4.7 million, will cover the costs of the fire and police departments.
Town council also decided to reject a funding request from the Cherry Brook Zoo at a cost of $5,000.
The town will also contribute $940,000 for a fleet replacement plan.
That money will come out of the 2017 capital budget.
Town council approved funding in the amount of roughly $84,000 to Enterprise Saint John with a review at the six-month mark.
