The $67 million budget represents a 2.9 percent increase.  The $26 million municipal budget was approved by 445 votes while the $40.9 million dollar school budget was approved by 349 votes. 

First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker says part of the tax increase is from the state mandated revaluation.  He estimates though that some 70-percent of homeowners will see a decrease in property taxes because of a shift back from homeowners to commercial properties.

On the budget advisory questions, Bethel residents said both allocations were too high.