FALMOUTH — The proposed municipal budget for 2020 is up 3.6 percent and adds just under 1 cent to the current tax rate of $16.47 per $1,000 of valuation, according to Town Manager Nathan Poore.

The School Department is scheduled to release its budget for the new fiscal year on Friday, March 15, during a day-long workshop.

The combined municipal and school budgets will be presented to the public at 5:30 p.m. March 27, and be followed by a public hearing at 7 p.m. April 3. Both meetings will take place at Town Hall.

Poore said his proposed municipal budget of $13.5 million is an increase of nearly $475,000 over current spending. The Town Council had little comment Monday when it set the date for the public hearing on the budget.

Budget drivers include a 5.3 percent increase in wages, health insurance and retirement costs for town employees. New positions requested this year include new part-time slots at the Fire Department to cover increases in call volume, Poore said.

In addition, he said the Fire Department would like to hire someone to conduct an outside review of department operations.

Other budget drivers include more than $263,000 in new debt payments for the $6.6 million library renovation and expansion project, scheduled to break ground sometime in April, and the full cost of a new school resource officer.

Poore said spending increases on the municipal side of the budget are being offset by projected “large increases” in non-property tax revenue, including excise taxes, more in state revenue sharing and more interest income.

Due to the increases in revenue, Poore said he’s not asking to use any of the fund balance in 2020.

Overall, he said the proposed budget “maintains financial stability” and “delivers necessary services.”

Kate Irish Collins can be reached at 780-9097 or kcollins@theforecaster.net. Follow Kate on Twitter: @KIrishCollins.