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5/8/2008
LINCOLN - The town's registered voters are due at the 2008 Financial Town Meeting next Monday, May 12 at 7:30 p.m. to consider a budget plan that seeks a 2.7 percent spending increase over this year.
That's about $1 million less than the state's cap on levy increases would allow this year.
But Town Administrator T. Joseph Almond is urging residents to be frugal and adopt the $71.3 million budget that will need only a 10-cent increase on the tax rate.
"While a 5 percent increase in the local property tax levy is permitted under the state's tax-cap bill S-3050, taxpayers cannot afford it," Almond said.
Said Almond in a prepared statement, "The recommended 2.72 percent increase will provide essential funding for municipal and educational services; the remainder is needed to restore the loss of revenue to local communities imposed by the state through cuts in local revenue sharing and aid to education."
Almond said he cautions, "If voters at the Financial Town Meeting elect to increase spending above the recommended budget, it would cause a direct increase to local property taxes. Until we understand the extent of the fiscal crisis gripping the region, and gain control of the spiraling and unsustainable cost of pension and healthcare benefits, it would be irresponsible to increase spending."
Attendance at Lincoln's Financial Town Meeting has widely varied over the years. The quorum requires 100 members and the high school auditorium seats about 700.
Moderator Robert Ericson is promising an evening of small-town democracy marked by civility.
According to Kenneth Booth, Budget Board chairman, the school budget proposal is for $48,285,991, representing an increase of $1,124,550 or 2.38 percent over the current budget. Municipal spending is proposed at $16,917,337, an increase of $708,735 or 4.37 percent over the current budget.
Said Almond, "We must budget responsibly now in preparation for an even more challenging 2009 fiscal year. It will be extremely important this year to protect our AA- bond rating, maintain a responsible accumulated surplus, and continue to promote economic growth if we are to preserve our long-term fiscal health."
If adopted as presented, the tax rate will change from $16.72 to $16.82, he said. All residential homeowners would continue to receive an additional 35 percent Homestead Exemption.
Finance Director John Ward says the proposed increase in property tax revenues will also result in a commercial real estate rate of $21 per $1,000 assessed valuation compared to the current property tax rate of $20.92. The tangible personal property tax rate of $27.91 would be up from the current $27.80.
The property tax levy for the 2008-2009 budget year also includes motor vehicles at a tax rate of $30.66 per $1,000 assessed valuation.
Robert Ericson, moderator, calls this 113th annual meeting "a classic event of New England democracy."
Voters arriving at the high school will check in with a member of the Town Clerk's staff and pick up a copy of the budget book, also online at www.lincolnri.org.
The first vote will be for next year's town moderator and three budget board members. All results are announced at the end of the meeting, Ericson said.
Says Ericson, "Following a few legal formalities, the moderator and budget board chair read the budget section by section. If any member says 'Object,' that section or a specific line item within will be reserved for later questions, discussion and possible revision. If no member objects, the section is immediately approved as read."
After the budget reading, members can make changes to objected sections by following certain rules, he said, noting, "The Financial Town Meeting can increase or decrease expenditure line amounts, but it cannot add new budget lines."
He notes that the FTM generally follows the most recent Robert's Rules of Order.
He tell voters, to challenge a line item, approach the microphone and make a motion. If it's seconded, the voter may speak about the motion. Members never speak to or against another member.
"This simple rule of civility adds light rather than heat to discussions," says Ericson.
Amendments to the main motion may be presented during discussion and must be discussed and voted upon before the main motion is taken up.
During discussion, a member can make a request for information.
"Members should always feel free to ask questions," Ericson says.
