NORTH HAVERHILL — The delegation of Grafton County state representatives approved the county’s proposed $60.54 million budget at the annual convention on Monday by a vote of 16-8.
The approved budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 represents an increase of about 5% from the current year with an increase in the amount to be raised by taxes of 9.3% or $2.8 million to $33.3 million.
There were no amendments approved for the budget, which the delegation’s executive finance committee adopted on June 12.
Higher costs at both the nursing home and house of corrections along with salary increases were the main drivers of the increase. The census at the 135-bed nursing home is now at about 120. At the jail, superintendent Tim Lethbridge said the population is 113 in the 150-bed facility, but added that because populations have to be segregated some housing areas are at or near their population limit.
Additional staff and the need for more food, supplies and medical needs also contributed to the budget increase as did higher healthcare costs, up nearly 10%, and cost-of-living salary increases of 3% for both non-union and two collective bargaining units.
