The Town Council last Thursday (April 26) adopted an $86.7 million budget for fiscal year 2012-'13, representing a 1.68 percent spending increase over the previous year's budget but one that will result in a 16.4 percent increase in the tax rate.

The budget passed by a vote of 13-1. Democrat Joseph Badamo was the only council member to vote down the new budget.

The mill rate jump doesn't tell the whole story, fortunately. Check the May 3 issue of the Courier for complete coverage.