WEST PARIS — Selectmen increased property taxes by roughly 8 percent to make up for declining state revenues and increases to the budget.

Overall, taxpayers will be asked to raise $1.51 million in fiscal year 2014-15. Town Manager John White estimated the average household would see a $100 increase in local taxes.

“It’s a lot of money for a small town,” Selectman Wade Rainey said at Thursday night’s meeting.

The increase is $1.25 per $1,000 worth of property value more than last year, from $15.75 to $17.

In March, voters approved a $1.13 million budget recommended by selectmen and the Budget Committee, which was $11,403 more than in 2013. The figure included $35,600 in overlays.

White told selectmen that declining state funding from municipal revenue sharing and more money for the highway and fire departments, administration and funds for a revaluation reserve account attributed to the increase.

In 2013, the town received $113,754.82 from the state; this year, that figure dropped to $78,528.71. 

Previously, White said the town used $115,000 from the undesignated fund balance to offset the tax levy; this year, it will apply only $50,000 from town reserves because there is less in the fund balance.

Tax commitments will be mailed to residents on July 11.