Health insurance leads budget increases in Newport

NEWPORT — Interim Town Manager and Finance Director Paul Brown presented a proposed operating budget of $9.37 million for the fiscal year beginning July 1 to the Selectboard Monday night.

The budget represents a $655,000, or 7.6%, increase from the current year, Brown said.

"This budget has more of an increase than I had hoped," Brown said. "There are items that can be cut but I felt the board should hear about those items to be fully aware of their need and importance. I feel this is what the town needs to operate into the future."

Cost drivers include: health insurance, which is up 25% and property and liability insurance, up 18%, Brown said. There also are increases in pay for police, of 1.75%; and public works and non-union employees, 1.5%.

The budget would require a 10% increase in the amount to be raised by taxes and increase the municipal tax rate by 54 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation, Brown said. He also noted that over the past 10 years, town budgets have had an average increase in the amount to be raised by taxes of 2.4%.

The board is expected to vote on the budget by the end of the month before handing it over to the Budget Advisory Committee. The deliberative session is April 2 and the Town Meeting vote on May 14.