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 ATTLEBORO - As promised last month, Mayor Kevin Dumas delivered a budget Friday that increases city spending on schools above state requirements for the first time ever.
Dumas' budget provides $400,000 more than the net school spending minimum and increases overall expenditures for schools by 4.14 percent.
The budget submitted by Dumas totals $102.4 million with a school appropriation of $57 million.
Click here for FY2008 budget comparison by section
Total city spending would increase 3.41 percent under the mayor's plan which he characterized as "one of the best" in recent years.
"As we continue to move forward we are certainly in a much brighter position today than in earlier periods," he told the city council during a special session.
It's the first city budget ever to hit the $100 million mark. Last year's final budget came in at about $99 million.
School board Chairwoman Robbie Wuilleumier said she's happy with school increase.
"It's a significant amount over net school spending," she said. "It's moving in a positive direction. I'm very pleased."
Schools had sought a 5.32 percent increase.
In his message to the council, Dumas praised Superintendent Pia Durkin for her work on the school budget, calling it "clear and concise."
Police and fire departments are also slated for hikes under the mayor's plan. Dumas said both departments are funded at levels which provide the maximum staffing allowed by ordinance. Fire department overtime has been increased to maintain a second full-time rescue unit that was put on just a couple of weeks ago.
The police and fire departments got increases of $376,008 and $441,666 respectively. Those amounts represent 6.42 percent and 7.66 percent hikes.
The increases in spending came despite the elimination of some state grant programs and without a huge increase in state funding, Dumas said.
Increases in state aid last year coupled with the elimination some one- time expenses are the main reason the city has been able not just to maintain spending, but increase it in most departments, he said.
An increase of less than 6 percent in health insurance costs also aided the cause, Dumas said. Also, debt service has decreased $216,000.
Dumas said an appropriation of $200,000 from free cash will be needed to balance the spending plan.
GEORGE W. RHODES can be reached at 508-236-0432 or at grhodes@thesunchronicle.com.
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