Rocky Hill Town Manager Says This Is A Solid Budget Despite 3 Percent Increase

Rocky Hill Town Manager Barbara Gilbert has submitted her budget to the Town Council for its approval and possible editing.

The budget will feature a 3.08 percent increase and will see the mill rate increase to 26.7 mills, an increase of .8 mills. 

"I'm happy with the way the budget came out considering the way things are going with the economy," Gilbert said. "While we have an increase, the Town Council may still cut in certain areas. If they don't cut, I think this is a budget people can understand and respect. 

"We are still in a slow recovery from the recession and we face a lot of challenges faced in providing for the continuing of services for our residents without an additional costs. We are also under the burden of not knowing exactly what the state budget will look like. We have some groundbreaking proposals by the Governor and also an increasing state deficit."

The grand list grew marginally by just 0.26 percent. 

There have been rumors circulating that several departments could be combined to save money. Gilbert's budget does not show any combining of departments but that still may happen.

"I have heard the same rumors," Gilbert said. "That does not happen in the budget I submitted. I have heard that the Grounds Department and the Highway Department might be combined to streamline operations but that would be up to the Council."

Some of the highlights of the expenditures (capital and others) are:

• Four full-time Police Officers (four Resource Officers for schools)
  
• Installation of fire sprinklers at West Hill School
  
• Two police Interceptor cars
  
• Purchase of Microwave Radio Transmitter for Police, Fire, Ambulance, Highways and Parks
  
• ADA upgrade of restrooms at West Hill and Stevens School
  
• Replacement of field carpet at McVicar Field, RHHS
  

Gilbert said the town was able to keep the increase down because it offset some of the purchases, like the Microwave System for public safety, with grants and other programs. 

The entire budget can be seen here.