The proposed $34.7 million 2013-14 School Administrative District 75 budget won the approval of 66 registered voters attending Thursday’s districtwide budget meeting.
The plan now goes to referendum votes in all four member towns June 11.
Voting Thursday were 14 citizens of Bowdoin; six from Bowdoinham, 14 from Harpswell and 32 from Topsham, according to Steve Dyer, the district’s business manager.
Most articles passed unanimously with no questions, Dyer said. The budget articles were closed, meaning proposed spending amounts could only have been decreased from the floor.
Four articles were passed by counted votes, as required by state statute: Article 13, the district’s contribution to the total cost of public education, which by state law is the minimum amount the district must raise and assess to receive the full state subsidy, passed 65-1; Article 14, the non-state funded debt service, passed 65-0; Article 15, additional local funds, passed 64-2; as did Article 16, which authorizes the school board to spend the resulting $34.7 million for fiscal year 2013-14.
According to data presented by school officials, the budget would spur an annual property tax increase for a home assessed at $150,000 of $79.25 in Bowdoin and $14.63 in Bowdoinham.
Owners of a home in Harpswell valued at $404,500 would see a tax increase of $55.16; and taxes on a $184,200 Topsham property would rise by $77.51.
dmoore@timesrecord.com
SAD 75 municipal budget referendums
WHAT: budget validation referendums
WHEN: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. June 11
WHERE: Bowdoin Central School, 1460 Main St.; Bowdoinham Town Hall, 13 School St.; Merriconeag Grange Hall, Route 123, Harpswell; Cundy’s Harbor Community Building, 837 Cundy’s Harbor Road, Harpswell; Old Orr’s Island School House, Orr’s Island, Harpswell; Exhibition hall, Topsham Fairgrounds, off Elm Street.
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