By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

EAST SPENCER — The town board will meet today to consider approving the general fund budget, which is just over $1.2 million. The 2016 proposed budget came in 1.9 percent lower than the 2015 budget.

The budget session is a continuation of the June 1 meeting where a public hearing was held with no verbal input from anyone in the community who attended.

Town Administrator Macon Sammons Jr. has said the town doesn’t expect a tax rate increase or a change in user fees. He also said the town should be able to “carry forward” $83,366 from the 2015 fiscal year after lower than expected expenses and that amount will help balance the 2016 budget.

Sammons has also advised the board to exercise caution and restraint in spending for the upcoming fiscal year.

Also in the budget is an expected $51,900 in Powell Bill funds, most of which will be held for later repairs and improvements because of the town’s upcoming water/sewer infrastructure project. The town does have a balance of Powell Bill funds of $115,289 as of the end of this fiscal year that will be placed in reserve for future paving and other related projects.

Some of the following town departments have seen an increase, decrease or remained relatively the same since the 2015 FY budget:

• The Fire Department has an increase of $5,000 to $13,000 for a new fire car and $1,000 to $7,000 to repair and some of the vehicles. The fire department just last month was awarded $13,043 from the state fire marshal’s office for a newer command/medical responder vehicle.

• The Police Department has decreased its full-time salaries by $24,176, but increased its part-time personnel with an increase of $34,276. Police patrol cars is reduced by $10,475 to reflect that the chief didn’t believe additional cars were necessary for this next fiscal year. The balance of the department’s account will be the payment on a USDA debt for three patrol cars bought in 2012.

• The Planning Department has maintained near its present levels including $15,000 used for demolition and removal of dilapidated homes and buildings.

• The Parks and Recreation Department increased $8,500 to reflect a need for functioning restrooms for the new shelter at Royal Giants Park. The town will refit the current bathhouse. There’s also a $2,000 increase in part-time wages because the park has seen a higher level of activities held at the park.

• The town saved $14,000 in the Solid Waste Department after converting to a five-year waste collection agreement.

The meeting will be held today at 6:30 p.m. at town hall, 105 S. Long St.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.