KOUTS | With its 2008 budget finally approved by the state, the council officially adopted its 2008 salary ordinance Monday.

Clerk-Treasurer Greg Frame said the state required only minor reductions in the budget submitted by the town. The biggest was the reduction of $29,552 in the general fund. At Frame's recommendation, the council approved the elimination of the capital outlay line item for $25,000 along with a reduction in the legal fees to reach the required total.

Frame said the town waits for state approval of the budget to approve the salary ordinance because salaries are an area the council can cut to comply with the state requirement to reduce total expenditures. Council President David Brooks said the town's 2008 tax rate is lower than its 2007 rate.

The salary ordinance was tentatively approved earlier in the year, but the council made a couple of changes in making it official Monday. Frame said the town's insurance provider asked that the ordinance include the stipulation that town employees are required to contribute $1 a year toward their health insurance.

The other change reflected the retirement of former Town Marshal Joe Kirk at the beginning of October. The town marshal's salary was $49,925 a year, but new Town Marshal James Boyce will receive $42,500.

Pay for other town employees includes the chief deputy, $35,000; deputies, from $25,875 to $40,040; crossing guards, $2,938; clerk-treasurer, $31,460; council president, $4,209; council members, $3,156; park board director, $793, and the building inspectors, $13,209.