The council discussed the challenges faced by the fire district, particularly the cost of water usage which is a part of the budget. It was noted that nearly 20% of the proposed $1.5 million taxation budget was allocated for water usage alone. The council acknowledged the difficulty in managing these costs due to the cap on budget increases and the lack of correlation with the Board of Public Utilities’ approvals for water rates.

The budget reduction, which includes a $25,000 cut from future capital outlay and adjustments to other line items as necessary, is expected to decrease the annual tax increase for residents of District 11 from approximately $13 to $4. The council stressed the importance of residents understanding the budgeting process and encouraged greater public participation in voting.

In addition to the budget discussion, the council expressed appreciation for the fire services provided to the community and emphasized the collaborative effort between municipal officials and fire commissioners to serve residents effectively.