This year’s final tax rate was certified by the Department of Revenue Administration earlier this week.

The rate, which was set at $25.51 per $1,000 assessed valuation, marks a 1.3 percent increase over 2015.

A breakdown of the tax rate shows $8.57 is directed towards the town, $1.23 to the county, $13.36 to local education and $2.35 to the state’s education system.

Town, county and local education taxes all increased, although the state education tax went down compared to last year’s rate.

According to a news release, the 19 cent increase to the town portion of the rate was due to an operating budget increase to compensate for increased ambulance service costs, a new transfer station hauling contract and an increased funding to the capital reserve fund, which is used for future projects.

Tax bills will be mailed out the week of Oct. 17 and are due on Dec. 5.

The board has also started drafting a budget for next year’s Capital Improvement Plan. Major projects will dip into that fund include renovations to the town hall, an overhaul of the police department, and a new basement floor at the heritage museum.

Members also discussed the town hall project at length on Monday evening.

The town has already pledged a $350,000 bond towards the project with the expectation that the rest of the funds would be generated from grants and donations.

But the Francestown Heritage Commission is still $250,000 shy of their million dollar goal, a sum that needs to be raised in less than a year so that construction on the facility can begin by December 2017.

“There are two fundraising efforts going on this month, but I think it’s highly unlikely that they will raise $250,000,” said Abigail Arnold, adding that it’s a lot of money for local benefits to generate. “That would surprise me.”

Realistically, if the project is set to go through next year, the town will have to pledge additional funds, she said.

The board proposed pledging an addition $125,000 towards the project, a proposal that will require a public vote.

Abby Kessler can be reached at 924-7172, ext. 234 or akessler@ledgertranscript.com.