Town Council to Finalize Proposed 2013 Budget

Bedford Town Councilors have scheduled a 90-minute budget workshop tonight with the intent of making a few final decisions on their proposed 2013 municipal budget.

The Council has been combing through the budget since late October when new Town Manager Jessie Levine , which represents a likely 40-cent tax increase per $1,000 assessed valuation, or $145 on a $362,000 home (the median assessed valuation for a Bedford home).

Levine explained at the time that 30 cents of that bump, or 5 percent, is out of municipal control due to state tax increases and bond payments.

The Council has focused much of its attention the last six weeks on the remaining 10-cent increase, which includes $150,000 to fund additional staff, including a full-time police officer, a part-time administrative position for the police department (which was recently cut), and additional full-time positions in the Bedford Planning and Public Works Departments, respectively. While the Council has given the nod to three of the four positions, it is still considering its options for a DPW buildings supervisor.

The Council is also considering options on how to handle a $200,000 budget surplus including placing the money in reserve and using it to offset anticipated upcoming expenses. For more information, click here.

Regular meeting

Then, at 7 p.m., the Council convenes for a regularly scheduled meeting.

In addition to accepting a motion to forward the budget proposal on to two scheduled public hearings in January, the Council has holds a public hearing on an ordinance to prevent through trucking on Donald Street and will recognize the Bedford Jr. Bulldogs Pee Wee Football silver team on recent accomplishments.

Agenda items also include:

• Discussion of Pole License Petition Process
• Schedule a public hearing for change in Cemetery lot fees
• Educational Farm at Joppa Hill (EFJH) Agreement

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