Although Dayton property owners may see the town’s portion of their tax bill drop by 4.3 percent in 2014, Dayton’s total expenses for next year will rise by more than 25 percent.

Total tax revenues in Dayton are projected to drop from $595,111 in 2013 to $570,371 in the proposed 2014 budget.

Total expenditures are projected to rise from $975,105 this year to $1.31 million next year.

Dayton Town Chairman Chris Klein said most of the spending increase can be attributed to costs to replace two culverts over Radley Creek and one culvert over Emmons Creek.

Dayton’s Public Works expenditures, which includes roads, bridges and signs, are expected to rise from $575,979 to $875,595.

Klein said the county is providing a grant which will cover half of the nearly $300,000 cost to replace the three culverts.

Dayton’s proposed spending for General Government, which includes salaries for elected officials, communications, legal and office expenses, is projected to rise from $138,354 in 2013 to $246,700 in 2014.

Klein said about $100,000 of this line item is due to a planned reassessment of property values throughout the town of Dayton.

The reassessment is necessary to keep the town’s assessed values in line with market values and neighboring municipalities, as well as to transfer the property information into a digital format as mandated by the state.

Dayton’s total revenues for 2014, including taxes, permit fees, state aid and county grants, are projected at $1.03 million.

Total spending of $1.31 million will result in a $277,515 deficit in 2014, which will be covered by money from the fund balance.

Dayton’s fund balance was $896,620 on Dec. 31, 2012 and $800,051 on Dec. 31, 2013.

The fund balance is projected to drop to $522,536 by the end of 2014.

A public hearing on Dayton’s 2014 budget is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21.