MONMOUTH -- Voters at next month's town meeting will be asked to approve a 2008-09 town budget that will grow by more than $180,000.

Much of the increase can be attributed to the same costs faced by every homeowner, selectmen said during Wednesday's public hearing.

The overall budget is up $187,000, or 7 percent, to more than $2.8 million. But due to other sources of revenue that are expected to jump by 15 percent during the budget period, just $1.7 million of the total budget will be funded through property taxes, said Town Manager Curt Lunt.

The $43,000 proposed increase in property tax revenue would mean the property tax rate jumps 10 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. That comes out to a $10 increase in property tax for someone who owns a home valued at $100,000.

Selectmen cited soaring fuel costs for vehicles and heating, and higher costs for transporting solid waste, for much of the overall increase.

"The general reason for the increase is the general reason all of our costs are going up," Selectman Philip Thibodeau told 30 residents who attended the meeting at Cumston Hall. "There's no pattern for the increase."

There are other increases, as well, including a $20,000 jump in emergency dispatching services due to a state- mandated change in providers and a request for $193,000 in capital improvement funds designed to replace or upgrade equipment for the Public Works, Fire and Police departments, as well as Cumston Hall and the Town Office.

There also is an $18,000 request to allow town police officers to join a state retirement plan.

"It's expensive, but it will help us keep (police officers) for more than a couple of years," Lunt said.

The total money raised by property taxes will fall within the limit set by LD 1, the state's formula for spending control, due to the significant increase in projected revenue from other sources, such as excise fees and code enforcement.

Officials are anticipating a $144,000 increase over 2007-08, which will give the town a total of $1.08 million to offset property taxes.

"The increased revenue is not an increase in fees, but better projection of revenue," Lunt said.

Residents will vote on the budget, in addition to four routine ordinance changes proposed in the 27-question warrant, by secret ballot on June 10. Polls will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Craig Crosby--623-3811 x 433

ccrosby@centralmaine.com