The town of Maplesville’s budget for the 2012 fiscal year is its first budget that will contain an itemized list of expenses for each department.

On Sept. 22, Maplesville passed the new budget, which projects $917,925 in revenue and $901,721 in expenses for a difference of $16,204.

“In 2011, we didn’t get as much tax revenue as we thought we were going to get,” said Town Clerk Sheila Haigler. “We revised our budget this year to reflect that. We’re not just shooting in the dark.”

Two areas of concern for the town budget have been the Police and Fire departments.

The Police Department’s budget allots for four full-time officers in 2012, down from five in 2011.

The Fire Department will continue to operate on limited revenue because of expenses from purchasing essential breathing equipment stored in the fire trucks.

A fire grant has alleviated a portion of the equipment cost, but the department is still in debt and must make a final payment of $9,122.84 in December on a five-year loan.

“The Council is going to let the Fire Department borrow money from the Garbage Department, then repay them probably on a monthly basis,” Haigler said.

The Fire Department’s projected revenue this year is $88,000 with expenses of $115,000, creating a deficit of about $26,870.

“The big change in the revenue and expenses is because of a fire grant,” Haigler said. “Even without that, they would still be short.”

Although the budget is more detailed this year, Haigler said it should be viewed more as a guideline.

“It’s so important for a town to have a budget, because it depends on the spending in the community,” Haigler said. “It’s all generated over what people spend.”

If the town overspends in one area, it can compensate by withdrawing funds from another area to cover costs.

“During the year, gas prices may go up,” Haigler said, noting that the town must continue to buy gas for police cars no matter how much the price may rise.

Haigler said the town is currently using a grant to add sidewalk street lighting, but after it is finished, Maplesville has no major projects.

“We’re planning to keep our head above water,” Haigler said. “We’re just hoping our revenues continue to stay consistent. If everything stays the same, we’ll be about $16,000 to the good.”