The Westbrook City Council approved the fiscal year 2015-16 budget Monday, passing next year’s $24.7 million municipal spending plan and sending the $34.1 million school budget to voters in June.

During a second reading Monday, the council voted 4-1, with Councilor Paul Emery opposed and councilors Brendan Rielly and Gary Rairdon absent, to approve the budget.

Next year’s municipal budget of $24,740,274 is an increase of $554,351 from this year. However, added revenues offset the increase to $228,045.

The school budget, at $34,116,114, is up $135,846, but a substantial revenue deficit has increased the school tax needs to $1,273,726.

The combined increase of $1,564,545 will add 78 cents to the Westbrook property tax rate, the first increase since 2012. The rate will be $17.98 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, or $3,416 for an average home assessed at $190,000.

The school budget will head to a validation referendum on Tuesday, June 9. Voter registration will be Monday, June 1-Friday, June 5, from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Monday, June 8, from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. at City Hall. Polls will be open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. on June 9.

– Andrew Rice