Thurmont proposes three-cent tax increase

(5/1) Over the past month, Thurmont Commissioners have been discussing the $3.67 million fiscal year 2019 (FY19) budget. The FY19 budget is $122,640 more than last year’s budget, but Commissioners are still considering pursuing a three-cent tax increase.

The Town’s first attempt at balancing the budget left them $53,000 in the red. The overage costs included some new line items and changes presented by the Board as well as an increase in some yearly expenses, such as the increase in town employee’s healthcare. Last year, Thurmont saw a fourteen percent increase in healthcare costs, and Chief Financial Officer Linda Joyce projected they would jump $30,000 plus an additional fifteen percent this year. Additionally, the Board discussed the new contract with Town Planner Chris Jakubiak, at a cost of $43,200. This new contract included an increase from 20 to 25 hours a month for potential annexation projects within the next year. Joyce also budgeted an extra $6,000 for additional hours if needed.

Within the Police Department, Police Chief Greg Eyler requested a $10,000 budget line item for a new narcotics dog. The current narcotic dog, Buddy, faces lack of insurance due to his older age, at six years. If he were to become ill or seriously injured, the cost would come out of the taxpayer’s pockets. The new canine would cost $10,000 with an annual upkeep cost of $5,000. Buddy has only been used for 56 scans since joining the department in 2013, a fact that was of concern by some of the Commissioners, who felt that number was not an adequate reason to look into purchasing another dog. However, as pointed out by Mayor Kinnaird, Buddy has been a deterrent to drug users and the Thurmont Police Department has the reliability of being able to get the dog out at any moment’s notice.

At a later meeting on April 24, the Commissioners re-addressed the general fund budget, with some amendments made by Joyce. On the revenue side, the Color Fest fund was decreased by $5,000, per Board recommendation. The Highway User revenue was increased by $16,972 after additional funding was recently approved, bringing the total highway revenues up to $77,983. Local income tax and tax equity were also increased bringing their revenue totals up to $740,000 and $899,500 respectively.

On the expense side, the snow removal and overtime was increased by $10,000, a decision that was made after the town almost spent its entire budgeted amount during a late March snowstorm. Planning and Zoning overtime was increased by $1,800, the Parks and Recreation Summer Program Coordinator item was increased by $5,000 and a $5,000 donation to the Thurmont Addiction Commission was added. Joyce was also pleased to announce that the originally calculated cost for healthcare was decreased by $16,550. Now, this year, the increase, instead of jumping up by fifteen percent, has only increased by nine percent.

On the Police Department side, there were also some decreases in the budget totaling $7,000. Monies were taken out of the line items for office supplies, vehicle expenses, recruitment, department materials and supplies, and training and education.

In total, the expenditures were decreased by $19,425 resulting in a surplus of the general fund by $43,310. However, taking in the costs of some desired capital budget projects, the town is still looking for approximately $100,000 worth of funds. These projects include: leasing three new police vehicles, outfitting lights on the new vehicles, a new narcotics dog, in-car cameras for the police vehicles (all at a cost of $71,000); street paving, which is projected to cost $165,000; and Frederick Road Bridge repairs ($30,000), just to name a few.

At the end of the April 24 meeting, Commissioners voted to advertise a three-cent tax increase, which would help account for some of the funds needed. The budget discussion will continue into May, and the tax increase will be addressed and discussed more at a future meeting.