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Cottage City's approved fiscal 2010 budget lowers the property tax rate and includes money to bring a senior citizen bus line to town.

The $2.3 million budget lowers the property tax rate from 60 to 56 cents per $100 of assessed value. The new rate is the same as the constant yield rate, which means the town should receive the same amount of money in tax revenue as it did in the last fiscal year, despite a change in property assessments and the tax base.

The budget includes $10,000 to allow the town to use a senior bus line operated by Colmar Manor and Bladensburg. The line takes seniors to and from medical appointments and on other errands.

Also included in the budget is $10,000 for sidewalk and road construction and maintenance, which is an increase of $4,000 from last year. Town Clerk Treasurer Alice Shannon said the money will be used to repair sidewalks that have shifted and become a hazard.

The budget passed 4-1 on May 28. Commissioner William Hall, Sr. (Ward 2) voted against the spending plan.

Hall said he was opposed to lowering the property tax rate and funding block parties in each of the town's five wards at $400 each.

"There's better things to use the money for," Hall said. "We're in an economy that's so bad right now that we're cutting everything we can to the minimum."

Hall said he wanted some of the money committed to expedite work on the town's community garden, which is planned for the end of Cottage Terrace and will include plots on which residents can plant produce for free.

Budget highlights

$20,000 for Town Hall maintenance and repairs

$10,000 to bring a senior bus line to town

$10,000 for sidewalk and road construction and maintenance