Bennington’s proposed 2017 operating budget is about 2.42 percent higher than last year’s, or about $40,000.
The warrant articles have also spiked from $16,500 last year to a proposed $67,500 this year.
The warrant-article increase is largely a result of a $45,000 proposal to address deferred road maintenance costs. The town’s road agent has said if the town spends some money up front to address the issue, it could save money in the long run because the department wouldn’t have to patch roads and then go back a few years later to do a more thorough job.
The town has proposed a $5,000 warrant article that would be directed at upgrading its street lights to LED fixtures. Select board members said if all the lights are replaced the project has the potential to pay itself off in a few years time due to energy-cost savings.
An increase to the operating budget is partly a result of spikes to the police and general highway department. The police budget is proposed to increase nearly $14,000 as a result of employee benefits realignment, a 2 percent wage raise, prosecutor fees and fuel costs. The highway department budget has increased nearly $14,000 as a result of employee benefits realignment, a 2 percent wage raise, and fuel costs.