A small minority of North Haven residents approved an $85.05 million budget for fiscal year 2012-’13 at referendum on May 22. Only 6.19 percent of registered voters cast their votes, approving the new budget by a 755 to 180 margin.

The budget will result in a zero tax increase over the previous fiscal year and the mill rate will remain at 26.54, according to First Selectman Michael Freda.

Freda said that the zero percent tax increase was likely one reason for such low voter turnout.

“When people are satisfied, they make an assumption that it will pass,” he said.

He said work and family commitments, as well as the rainy weather, could also have attributed to low voting numbers.

The town’s side of the budget totals $39.3 million, a one percent decrease compared to 2011-’12. The Board of Education portion of the budget is $45.7 million, a three percent increase from the previous fiscal year. A surplus of $1.89 million was carried over from the last fiscal year to offset this budget’s overall 1.1 percent increase in spending.

In addition, Freda has said that the fund balance will remain at eight percent.

Although the budget easily passed, Freda said work will continue to improve efficiencies and services within town departments.

“Although the budget passed in a convincing fashion, we still have a great deal of work to do,” said Freda.

He stressed enhancements already done in some departments, including new software in the building department that will make the filing of building permits much easier and more efficient for residents.

Freda noted that projects part of the $14 capital improvement plan town residents approved earlier this year will continue to progress during the upcoming months. In July, town roadways will be paved as part of year one of a three-year road milling and paving initiative.

Work will also soon begin on renovations to the first fire house to see improvements: Montowese Company #2. The new Public Works garage should be completed by August, said Freda.