BELHAVEN — The Belhaven Board of Aldermen proposed several amendments to the budget for fiscal year 2015-2016 at its May 23 meeting.

Municipalities can amend items in a fiscal year’s budget to better reflect actual spending as the year progresses.

Among the more costly amendments is for the town’s Save the Hospital campaign, which had $1,000 budgeted for the current fiscal year, ending June 30, but the town instead spent $27,581. The amendment to the 2015-2016 budget allots for the increased spending and essentially caps it at $40,000 for the campaign.

Mayor Adam O’Neal said the allotment includes the lawsuit against Vidant Health and Pantego Creek LLC, which owns the hospital property.

Superior Court Judge Stuart Albright threw out claims from the Town of Belhaven and North Carolina NAACP, alleging breach of contract, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty and unfair trade practices, in October. The lawsuit is now awaiting a hearing in the state Court of Appeals.

Although some residents oppose the spending, O’Neal said he thinks it is justified because the hospital would bring jobs and emergency healthcare to the town.

The board also proposed using $4,050 toward the Belhaven Memorial Museum and Wynne’s Gut and Cooperage.

That amount stemmed from the Board of Aldermen’s recent decision to stop funding the Chamber, due to its decision to not turn over a donated parcel of land located behind the hospital. O’Neal described the Chamber as not operating in the best interest of the town. The board also gave the group a 30-day notice to vacate the Main Street building on April 25.

At the time, a Chamber newsletter stated: “Over the last few years, the Chamber has increased its presence in the Belhaven area and is being innovative and very much involved in the business community of Belhaven.

“This property has no direct bearing on the acquisition of the hospital property and the Chamber believes that the funds derived from the sale of the property would greatly enhance the capabilities of the Chamber and provide indirect benefit to the business owners and retail establishments in the Belhaven area.”

Other amendments at the May 23 meeting included more funds for maintenance and repair, elections, contracted power services and office supplies.

The Town of Belhaven will hold a public budget hearing on June 13 at 7 p.m. at the Belhaven Civic Center.