Proposed 1.1% Tax Hike In the Works

Expect an approximate 1.1 percent tax hike in Barrington this year. It could have been higher without a larger than expected increase in state school aid.

The Committee on Appropriations (COA) will present its annual budget proposal tonight at the hearing on Barrington’s spending for schools, municipal services and capital expenses in fiscal year 2014. It will show the 1.1 percent boost.

The hearing starts at 7 pm in the Barrington Middle School auditorium.

The overall proposed budget is approximately $62.5 million. Most of the spending pays for school expenses: approximately $45.5 million or $900,000 higher than this year, including the cost of a new teachers’ contract, which makes up most of the school budget. 

But the school budget also includes approximately $986,000 in state aid -- about one-and-a-half year's worth under an accelerated payment plan from the state. It brings in approximately $300,000 more than last year in state aid.

"This is the year to return dollars to taxpayers," said Kathy Cadigan, chair of the COA, the premise behind accelerating school aid to cities and towns.

The proposed municipal budget for 2013-14 is approximately $17 million – or about $300,000 more with debt service for a proposed road bond of up to $4 million. 

The proposed capital budget is $926,000 – or $100,000 less than this year.

Taxpayers will have two weeks to consider the proposed budget until the annual Financial Town Meeting on May 22, which gives voters an opportunity to amend the spending plan.

If nothing changes, a homeowner whose house is assessed at $340,000 will pay about $68 more dollars in taxes next year, said Cadigan, or about $18.20 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.