North Stonington — Residents approved the proposed school and town budgets for 2021-22 at a second referendum Monday.

The budgets totaled $21,081,830, a reduction of $103,878 from the initial budget rejected by voters.

Among the cuts were $934 in government operating costs and $9,500 in capital expenditures. The education budget was also decreased by $92,744 due to staffing changes, bringing the total increase to 1.13% over last year's budget. The Board of Finance previously recommended no more than a 1.3% increase.

The $6.8 million general government budget was approved 407-284 while the $14.2 million education budget passed 398-287.

The budget reduced the tax rate from 29.5 to 28.6 mills.

The first budget proposal for the 2021-22 fiscal year was rejected at a May 17 referendum when about 11% of the town's registered voters cast ballots. Monday's referendum drew a turnout of about 15%.

Officials attributed the first budget failure in part to low voter turnout and looked to increase advertising efforts for Monday's referendum. Part of the efforts included sending a direct mail reminder to every resident in town and social media posts.

Volunteers also placed signs around town reading "budget vote today," an updated version of the "please vote today" signs used for previous budget votes. The change was an effort to be clearer for residents who may not know what the vote was for, First Selectman Mike Urgo said.

Urgo said he "would like to see everyone come out to vote" but that he is glad the town will start the new fiscal year on July 1 with an approved budget, particularly so tax bills can be sent out on time.