Montville — Mayor Ron McDaniel this week released a $61.9 million budget proposal for 2019-20, calling for a 1.74-mill increase after trimming down spending requests from department heads over the last several weeks.

The proposed budget's roughly $2.6 million increase over 2018-19 spending largely was driven by a higher Board of Education budget and a $500,000 capital improvement plan that funds new equipment, security upgrades and culvert work at Old Colchester Road.

Presented to the Town Council on Monday night, the mayor's proposed budget calls for no new staff for the town, but McDaniel noted he's seeking state grants that would pay for two new firefighter positions.

"This budget is a representation for what we want and desire for our community: quality education, exceptional public security, good roads and infrastructure, positive recreational facilities and activities," McDaniel said. "This is our starting point."

Town government expenses total $22.5 million, and school expenses $38.9 million, in McDaniel's $61,984,279 proposal. The town would collect almost $43.3 million in property taxes based on the 2018 grand list, which totaled nearly $1.3 billion, according to the proposal.

McDaniel said that if he had approved all departments' initial spending requests, a nearly 6-mill increase would have been required. While the budget likely will see changes as it heads to the town Finance Committee for review over the coming weeks, the proposed 1.74-mill increase, from 31.73 to 33.47, would see taxes on a $100,000 home increase by about $174. Last year, the Town Council approved a tax rate that increased by just 0.03 mill.

McDaniel added that the budget incorporates the state's proposed municipal aid, about $15 million, and that "we all need to be cognizant that this could change and it is anticipated that the state will continue to force unfunded mandates on the towns while decreasing state aid."

The Board of Education last month unanimously backed a $39.4 million 2019-20 budget, roughly a 4.87 percent increase over current spending, to bring back middle school sports and elementary field trips, as well as make three new hires: a social worker, maintenance worker and custodial position.

McDaniel's recommendation to the Town Council includes about a half-million dollars less in spending than what the school board requested — leaving the Finance Committee and school officials to hammer out potential changes.

"We'll present our case to the committee and the town for what we need and see what the town's able to support," Superintendent Laurie Pallin said Tuesday. She noted that she's called for adding a number of positions and services over the next several years, including an English Language Arts leader and potentially another language at the high school.

Finance Committee Chairman Wills Pike said he'd hold a preliminary meeting with Pallin and school officials this week to discuss a timetable for budget sessions later this month.

The school district will host a town government budget discussion at the high school auditorium at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 24, followed by an education budget talk the following day, also at 6 p.m., at the high school auditorium.

b.kail@theday.com