The Martha’s Vineyard Commission last week unanimously approved a revised budget for next year which does not increase assessments for the six Island towns.

But it does preserve salary increases of about four per cent for commission staff.

MVC chairman Christina Brown, an elected member from Edgartown, opened last Thursday’s discussion by explaining that the commission’s budget was drafted before recent cuts in state aid by Gov. Deval Patrick.

“We were unaware of the severity of the cuts to local aid. We’ve looked closely at this plan and our [board of finance] recommends that we certify this budget,” she said.

The new budget of $1.16 million represents a 9.4 per cent reduction in spending over this year.

The revised budget drew mixed reaction among town officials.

Ronald DiOrio, chairman of the Oak Bluffs selectmen, praised the changes.

“I think they understand the towns are going through a hard time. This is a plan that does not increase assessments, but also does not hurt the [commission’s] employees . . . nobody wants to see them hurt,” Mr. DiOrio said.

There was a different view in Edgartown this week; selectmen and their financial advisory committee voted without dissent on Monday to place the town’s share of the commission’s budget onto a separate Proposition two and a half override question for the annual town election in April.

“At least this will allow voters to put the commission budget aside and take a second look,” said selectman Arthur Smadbeck.

The move is symbolic. Under the MVC statute, town assessments are mandatory and must be paid by the towns.

But it shows that there are lingering bad feelings among some elected leaders over the commission’s decision to stick with salary increases in a year when some towns have decided to give them up.

Edgartown has eliminated all cost of living increases for town employees this year. Two weeks ago an association of all Island town finance committees called on the six town governments and schools to give up their colas this year.

In a letter to the editor published in today’s Gazette, commission treasurer Ned Orleans defends the decision. “It appears that the MVC’s proposed salary increase is currently right in line with the average proposed salary increases in towns and other public entities, based on a preliminary compilation of data. As definitive information about their salary increases will not be available until town meetings take place, the commission plans to review salary levels in May, before they go into effect for the next fiscal year,” he wrote, adding:

“The commission also committed itself to review its budget development process for future years, to make it more timely, clear, and responsive to town boards and citizens.”

Chilmark selectman J.B. Riggs Parker said this week he remains opposed to the commission increasing salaries this year. Since the commission has lost state and federal grant money, he said cutting positions should at least be considered.

“Why keep employees when you’re losing grants? It’s fairly simple to me . . . you lose grants, you loose positions,” he said.

Mr. Parker also said towns should take a closer look at the services provided by the commission. And he suggested the commission consider changing the way it approves its budget and assesses towns.

“I think it might be responsible [for the commission] to ask the legislature to make some changes that would give the towns more control over the commission’s budget. Remember taxpayers aren’t getting raises anywhere right now, and there are many people who are out of work altogether. Maybe it’s time to give some control to the towns,” Mr. Parker said.