Cape Elizabeth voters will consider a proposed $25.4 million school budget on Tuesday that would increase spending $513,000 or 2.1 percent, in 2018-19. The polls will be open at the high school from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The proposed budget reflects the Town Council’s $249,000 reduction in the School Board’s recommended budget. The board intended to spend that amount on an architectural and feasibility study for school building improvements, but the council cannot direct the board to make specific budget cuts.
Despite the council’s reduction, the amount to be raised in taxes for town schools would increase $2 million, or 9.6 percent, from $21.5 million to $23.6 million. As proposed, the overall spending plan for municipal, school and county services would increase $729,598, or 2 percent, from $38.7 million to $39.5 million.
The tax rate would increase $1.18, or 6.6 percent, from $18.00 to $19.18 per $1,000 of assessed property value, according to budget documents. At that rate, the annual tax bill on a $300,000 home would increase $354, from $5,400 to $5,754.
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