Somers budget vote set for Tuesday

May 10—SOMERS — Voters will their say on the proposed $35.3 million spending plan for 2021-22 in a budget referendum Tuesday.

Voting takes place in the auditorium at Town Hall from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. All voters are reminded to bring proper identification such a diver's license and to wear a mask and maintain social distancing while in the voting area.

The proposed budget represents a spending increase of 1.02%, or $355,737, more than the current year.

During the annual town meeting on the proposed budget on May 4, the public unanimously approved of the spending plan via a voice vote and the referendum was set for May 11.

The proposed budget is made up of both town government spending at $8.2 million, and Board of Education spending of $25.2 million, as well as money allocated for capital improvements — $250,000 — and debt service of $1.5 million.

In order to balance the budget, officials proposed taking $623,667 from the town's fund balance as well as having a 0.75-mill rate increase. The current tax rate is 27.37 mills. A mill represents $1 in taxes for every $1,000 in assessed property value.

Although the budget is increasing overall, several components decreased from the current year. The town government budget would decrease $52,374, or 0.63%, while debt services would decrease $91,641, or 5.56%, and the capital improvements fund will decrease $50,000, or 16.67%.

The town government budget's decrease was achieved through reductions in money allotted for public works as well as salaries, according to the preliminary budget packet put forth by the Finance Board.

The largest drivers of the school board's budget increase are contractual obligations such as health care, insurance, and salaries, which in total caused its budget to increase $549,772, or 2.23%.