By Shavonne Walker
shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

EAST SPENCER — The East Spencer Board of Aldermen is expected to begin discussions about a proposed tax increase after it approved moving forward with the purchase of a new firetruck.

The board will meet at 5:30 p.m. Monday for the first in a series of budget meetings.

Aldermen will look at the requests by each of the town’s department heads. Some departments are asking for an increase in their budgets.

The governing budget, which includes town board salaries, traveling and training expenses, will not increase. The requested amount for the 2018-19 year is $32,960, which is the same as the current fiscal year.

The administration budget includes town staff salaries, professional legal services, and other town hall expenses. The requested amount for the upcoming year is $344,375. The legal services budget would increase by $5,500 because the town is using legal services to collect taxes along Long Street, and stricter code enforcement has required more legal fees.

The East Spencer Fire Department budget is expected to grow by more than $86,650, according to staff estimates. The budget includes an increase in the cost of uniforms, station repairs, and equipment.

Much of the increase in the Police Department’s budget is because of an increase in the number of officers. Full-time officer salaries would increase by $7,633 while part-time officer salaries would go up $8,830. The associated costs for uniforms, new officer training and other equipment would increase.

The Public Works budget is expected to decrease from $186,750 in the 2017-18 fiscal year to $183,075 for the upcoming year. Building costs have decreased and so has the cost of capital outlay projects.

The Zoning and Planning budget would remain the same as the previous year at $49,660, while the Parks and Recreation budget is expected to decrease slightly from $43,591 to $43,191.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.