Manchester's 2021-22 Proposed Budget — By The Numbers

MANCHESTER, CT — Here is a look at Manchester's proposed $197.9 million budget for the 2021-22 fiscal year.

The $197,980,211 bottom line represents a 1.86 percent increase from the current fiscal year's budget of $194,365,424.

If approved as-is, the budget calls for a tax increase of 1.23 percent.

Here is a look at the numbers:

General Fund

• General government: $6,377,169 (increase of 2.03 percent)
• Public Works: $14,041,014 (decrease of 0.27 percent)
• Public Safety: 23,083,924 (4.68 percent increase)
• Human Services: $3,178,855 (0.93 percent increase)
• Recreation/Library: $6,538,198 (9.39 percent increase)
• Non-Education Operating Subtotal: $53,219,160 (3.32 percent increase)

General Fund

• Non-operating and debt: $26,492,110 (7.74 percent increase)

Education

• $118,268,941 (zero increase/decrease)

Here is the budget season schedule:

• Budget Workshop No. 1: March 10 5:30 p.m.

Board of Education

• Budget Workshop No. 2: March 11, 5:30 p.m.

General Government

Fixed Miscellaneous

Human Services

• Budget Workshop No. 3: March 17, 5:30 p.m

Public WorksSanitation

• Budget Workshop No. 4: March 18, 5:30 p.m.

Water & Sewer

Leisure Services

• Budget Workshop No. 5: March 23, 5:30 p.m.

PoliceFire

• Budget Workshop No. 6: March 25, 5:30 p.m.

Board of Education

• Budget Workshop No. 7 (as needed): March 30, 5:30 p.m.
• Public Hearing: March 17, 7 p.m.
• Budget Adoption: April 13, 7 p.m.

Here is the annual budget message from Manchester General Manager Scott Shanley:

March 9, 2021

Members of the Board of Directors and Citizens of the Town of Manchester,

This budget represents the first recommended budget submitted since the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically altered the course of the business we conduct beginning one year ago this month. I am pleased to report that the operation is still running strong despite the many & various challenges we have faced. The majority of operations continued, though often with much adaptation and adjustment.

The Town’s finances remain healthy, with a stable outlook for State Aid and most other major revenue sources.

Over the past weeks, we have been closely watching the stimulus bill as it made its way through the House and Senate. The bill as proposed could make a substantial sum of money available to Manchester. The promise of federal educational stimulus (ESSER 2), in conjunction with Alliance Grant funding, has allowed the Board of Education to submit a 0% increase budget for the upcoming fiscal year. For the Town side, however, we are as-of-yet uncertain as to the amount of funds that will be made available, or the rules & conditions that will dictate how those funds can be spent. This budget therefore makes no assumptions about additional general use intergovernmental revenues beyond what the Governor has proposed in his biennial budget.

Overall, the General Fund recommended budget increases by 1.86%, with a proposed mill rate increase of 1.23%. This municipal budget maintains 31 frozen and unfunded positions consistent with the current year, with no net increases in position count.

The South Manchester Fire District mill rate increases by 2.24%. Sewer rates are recommended to increase by 4% as part of a multi-year phase in of the cost of rebuilding the wastewater treatment plant, and water rates are proposed to increase by 3% to prepare for new filtration needs in the coming years.

Respectfully Submitted,

Scott Shanley
General Manager