Boonsboro prepares to vote on budget

June 02, 1997

By BRENDAN KIRBY

Staff Writer

BOONSBORO - The Boonsboro Mayor and Town Council are expected to vote on the fiscal 1998 budget tonight.

Mayor Charles F. "Skip" Kauffman Jr. and council members said they expect little opposition to the $623,641 spending plan, which contains few changes from last year.

"There are very few changes whatsoever," he said. "Nothing major or controversial."

The biggest difference is a 35 percent increase in police and public safety spending, which will pay for a third resident deputy.

"That's the main thing," said Councilman Gene Smith, who is on the Police and Streets Commission.

Under an arrangement with the Washington County Sheriff's Department, town governments pay for the cost of deputies who patrol the areas.

The third officer, Deputy Kenneth Cain, who has already started, is part of a federal crime prevention program. Boonsboro was awarded the money, which will pay 75 percent of the costs for three years.

Boonsboro would also pay $21,000 to purchase a new police cruiser.

Cain is primarily responsible for spearheading community policing, neighborhood watch programs and crime prevention efforts.

"That's his specialty," Kauffman said.

The proposed budget also contains $60,000 to resurface St. Paul Street and repair the curbs and sidewalks. That project is driving most of the $58,500 in the capital improvement budget.

Whatever minor adjustments Boonsboro residents see, Kauffman said they can be sure that their taxes will not rise. The property tax rate, 60 cents per $100 of assessed value, has not changed since 1940, he said.

"That's very low consider we provide more services than any town in the Tri-State area. We're very proud of that," Kauffman said. "We're very frugal. We don't waste money - never have, never will."

The town will hold a hearing to discuss the budget at the Community Center in Shafer Memorial Park at 6:30 p.m. and then vote on the spending plan at the regular meeting at 7 p.m.

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