Lyme — Voters will consider approving the proposed 2018-19 budget and joining the Ledge Light Health District, a regional health district, at the town's annual budget meeting on Thursday.

The meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall.

Residents also will vote to acknowledge receiving the town's annual report and to accept the donation of the Emerson Cemetery property from the Jewett family to the town.

The proposed 2018-19 budget stands at $11,722,962. Operating expenses are increasing 1.8 percent, which is typical for Lyme's budgets, Selectman Steven Mattson has said.

The total spending plan is increasing 4.7 percent over this year's budget but the plan incorporates a re-budgeted land purchase for the Johnson property, a land acquisition that already was approved by the town. The town ended up being awarded a larger grant from the state than expected, he said.

Without the re-budgeted land purchase, town expenses actually would be decreasing about 5 percent, Mattson has said.

Under the 2018-19 budget proposal, the tax rate is anticipated to increase from 18.25 mills to 18.6 mills, Board of Finance Chairman Matt Sharp confirmed. The finance board will meet after the town meeting vote to officially set next year's tax rate.

k.drelich@theday.com