Bath looking at 6-7 percent budget hike
By ROB PRICE THE COURIER-ADVOCATE

BATH - Village mayor David Wallace last week said he anticipates a six to seven percent increase in the 2007 municipal budget, although tentative budget projection show expenditures rising by more than 25 percent.

Wallace suggested the village could pare its annual expenses by borrowing funds to finance two large equipment purchases: a new radio system for village police and a backhoe for the street department.

The suggestion pleased Police Chief David Rouse, who last month warned trustees the current radio system was antiquated and exposed police officers to unnecessary risks. "Absolutely not," Rouse said Wednesday when Wallace asked if he had any reservations with the funding plan.

Wallace noted the equipment would have a long shelf life, which made financing the purchases a feasible option. The alternative, he warned, was to include large one-time expenses in the annual spending plan. "I think we can get ourselves out of the 28 percent category," he said. The term of the $100,000 to $200,000 loan would be about five years, he added.

Village board members still need to figure out how to budget an additional $70,000 for blacktop, requested by Street Supervisor Jeff Muller.

Muller last month warned trustees the cost of asphalt has doubled since the village allocated about $60,000 for the material in the late 1990s. "We're falling behind," Muller said.

Board members took no formal action on the 2007 spending plan during the budget workshop, but agreed to meet again to hammer out a final spending plan.