FARMINGTON – After little discussion at a public hearing Monday, Franklin County commissioners approved the proposed $1.16 million unorganized territories budget for 2016-2017.
The public hearing was held at 9 a.m. Monday at the commissioners’ office in the Franklin County Courthouse in Farmington. There were no comments or objections from anyone in attendance, but the proposed budget received compliments from the commissioners.
“I thought the budget was set up very good this year,” said county commissioner Clyde Barker.
The proposed $1,162,069 budget is $18,988 lower than the 2015-2016 unorganized territories budget of $1,181,057.
Spending projections for snow removal, waste disposal and ambulance services are down for the 2016-2017 budget cycle. These expenditures cover townships such as Madrid, Washington, Perkins, Freeman, Bedington, Salem and the rest of Franklin County’s unorganized territories.
Snow removal for 2016-2017 is projected to cost $407,266, down $26,079 from the current budget. Waste disposal spending is down from $137,608 to $123,780. The proposed NorthStar EMS ambulance subsidy is also down $538 from last year to $59,402.
The proposed fire protection spending is up $889 from the current year’s level to $111,443.
The proposed budget will now be sent to the state for final approval. If it is approved, it would go into effect July 1, 2016.
Lauren Abbate — 861-9252
Twitter: @Lauren_M_Abbate
Send questions/comments to the editors.
