By Suzanne Hodgson
Staff Writer

The Kennebunk Budget Board and board of selectmen clearly share one goal: No one wants the town budget to grow.
During the first budget meeting Feb. 2, all 14 members of both boards agreed to keep the budget as close as possible to no increase.  
The budget for fiscal year 2011 that begins in June was $6,819,041, a 0.6 percent decrease from last year, or $43,595.
“I support the budget as it’s been presented,” said Selectman David Spofford. “Coming in at under zero percent is fantastic.”
Since that first meeting, the budget has increased slightly to 0.4 percent lower than last year, a decrease of $24,895.
Part of that roughly $19,000 difference is related to a legal dispute between a member of the budget board and selectmen.
Town Manager Barry Tibbetts increased the legal budget for the town by $10,000 in anticipation of a possible law suit by budget board member John Costin against the board of selectmen for allegedly violating rules of executive session.
 Costin said he will be represent himself in the case and suggested selectmen do the same to save town money.
Tibbetts  also added $8,700 to the public library budget to keep it from reducing staff hours.
“We tried to achieve no reductions in services,” said Tibbetts.
Tibbetts said he believes the new town budget will still be less than last year’s budget by the time meetings end.
Finance Director Joel Downs said an increase in ambulance revenue, stronger than expected collections and other improved revenues during the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2009 led to a $1 million surplus.
Proposals for the surplus include two capital improvement projects: paving Alfred Road for $250,000 and sidewalk construction on Port Road for $232,100, according to budget documents put together by Downs and Tibbetts.
Surplus money may be used to rebuild a handicapped accessible ramp and front steps at the police station, rebuild the town street sweeper and add to the capital improvements fund and capital reserve accounts, along with other projects, according to budget documents.
The budget proposal calls for a 3 percent wage increase for full-time employees, while the employee health insurance contribution will increase to 13 percent. The town has agreed with the employees’ union to contribute an additional 2 percent the following year.
While wanting to make sure the town doesn’t reduce services, Tibbetts also wants to make sure the government doesn’t grow. “No new programs, no new employees,” Tibbetts said.
Last year town departments went through a restructuring. Tibbetts said he made 12 departments into six by realigning departments to make them more efficient.
The social services department has outsourced its services to People’s Regional Opportunity Program, which sends a representative to town hall on Tuesday and Wednesday each week. Tibbetts  estimated  that saved the town $22,000, Tibbetts said.
After some confusion during the first meeting to finalize rules of procedure, board members limited themselves and the public to three minutes of discussion on each budget tab.
Since the rules were finalized, the boards were able to get through most of the hundreds of pages in the budget, Tibbetts said.
“It’s running very smoothly this year,” Tibbetts said. “In part its because the numbers are more concise so the budget is easy to read.”
Tibbetts said the budget takes six or seven meetings most years but he expects only three or four this year.
An e-mail from Tibbett’s administrative assistant, Kathy Nolette, said budget talks have progressed more quickly than expected.
Several meetings have since been cancelled and the last meeting was to take place Thursday after the Post deadline.

Staff Writer Suzanne Hodgson can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 233.