EMMITSBURG, Md. – The current tax rate on real property in town will not change in 2007 despite a budget increase of nearly $200,000, passed by a 3-1 vote at a special commissioners meeting on May 30.

Based on projections, Mayor James Hoover proposed a $1,515,308 town budget for 2006-2007, compared to the $1,327,992 budget set for 2005-2006.

The increase is largely from the inclusion of some $600,000 of surplus monies from prior budget years, proposed short and long-term road projects, and the proposed hiring of a third deputy.

Also, some 20 new homes have been built that will not generate revenue until 2007-2008, but will require services beginning this July.

Already unhappy that the town did not adopt a proposed constant yield tax rate, commission President Christopher Staiger voted against the 36 cents per $100 assessed property value tax rate.

Staiger told The Dispatch, “I haven’t seen any effort to reduce cost in our budget process. The Town Manager protests that there is no way to do so without impacting services. Obviously, this is misleading at best. … With a captive audience of taxpayers and steadily increasing property values the money just keeps rolling in and municipal government seems happy to find new ways to spend it.”

Budget work will continue at the June 5 town meeting.