The Martha’s Vineyard Commission has prepared a $1.42 million budget showing an increase of less than one per cent over last year and a decrease of $35,000 from 2014.

The six Island towns, along with Gosnold, pay the bulk of the commission budget from property taxes. In the coming fiscal year, the towns will pay $1,012,941, a dollar less than last year.

The commission will take up the annual budget at its meeting on Thursday.

Most administrative and operating expenses did not change.

Capital improvements and maintenance costs account for the largest increases this year, followed by post-employment benefits and audit fees. Lower contractual fees and worker’s compensation payments helped balance out the new spending.

A total of $15,000 is budgeted for interior repairs and improvements at the Olde Stone Building in Oak Bluffs, which is slated for new walls and an air conditioning system on the third floor and new carpets. An equal amount will go toward maintaining the building and equipment. Both items mark a 50 per cent increase over last year.

Audit fees will increase about 18 per cent, to $10,000, to accommodate new requirements related to the Dukes County Retirement System and a Dukes County trust fund for other post-employment benefits (OPEB).

Contractual expenses decreased from $34,500 to $18,000, reflecting fees paid to a recruitment firm following the retirement of former MVC director Mark London last year. Those fees will not be needed this year.

Mr. London’s retirement also led to an increase in post-retirement medical insurance, from $21,278 to $28,586.

In keeping with recent budgets, the commission will contribute $30,500 (an increase of about 20 per cent) to the OPEB trust fund. The contributions have increased by $5,000 every year since 2013.

Payroll expenses account for about 83 per cent of the annual budget. That includes $17,449 for Medicare, Social Security and other costs, a 2.7 per cent increase, and $162,328 related to health and disability insurance, a 1.7 per cent increase. Commission salaries total $806,459, a decrease of 0.5 per cent.

MVC administrator Curtis Schroeder told the Gazette that legal fees are often the biggest variable in annual spending. That line item jumped to $120,000 in 2014, then dropped to $68,000 last year.

This year’s legal budget shows no increase, although the commission is working to save money on future litigation.

“We are and will be proactive,” MVC executive director Adam Turner said in an email to the Gazette. He noted a recent meeting where commissioners were briefed on proper hearing, record-keeping and decision-making processes. “These efforts hopefully will improve process, reduce litigation and save funds,” he said.

The commission also plans to pursue a variety of additional funding in the future. The current projection of $363,000 from grants, gifts and contracts is based on the continuation of a four-year contract with the state Department of Transportation, and other government funding. A $5,000 state grant for GIS mapping accounted for a 1.4 per cent increase in funding this year.

Thursday’s meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the Olde Stone Building.