Politics & Government
Town Council Members Contemplate $812K Increase to Government Budget
Members will consider adding several items to the spending plan for next year, meaning that if the proposal is approve it could require a 7 percent tax increase.
As council members are considering whether to add another $812,619 to the already proposed $29.67 million general government budget to fund a new police position, athletic fields and parking lot improvements.
After an hours debate Monday night, the divided council agreed that further discussion was necessary on a Republican proposal to add the additional spending, which also includes an additional contribution to the employee pension account, and adjustments to revenue projections.
If the proposal is absorbed in the proposed government budget for 2013-14 it could require a 7-percent increase in taxes.
Currently, the proposed budget for the 2014 fiscal year is $103.3 million budget. In April, council members approved a $68.1 million school budget. Monday, Republican Mayor Thomas Delnicki said that the first opportunity for the council to vote on the government portion of the budget will bee Monday, May 13.
If the additional $812,619 in spending is approved, it would increase the tax rate to 35.33 mills. The original proposal would require a 35.03-mill tax rate, an increase of 5.62 mills when compared to the current rate.
The items include:
- $125,000 for additional pension contribution
- $80,000 for an additional police officer
- $100,000 to renovate the high school girls softball field
- $100,000 for parking lot work at VMP
- $347,619 (or $3 million over 10 years at a 3-percent rate) to build a turf field.
The proposal also calls for adjusting revenue in this manner:
- $125,000 increase in prior year's tax collection
- $65,000 increase in prior year's town clerk fees
- $25,000 increase in prior year's general government sundry
- $100,000 increase in building fees over the prior year
- $25,000 increase in fire marshal permit fees over the prior year
- $400,000 decrease in money taken from the fund balance to balance the budget.
Republican Deputy Mayor Gary Bazzano said that the items proposed are "up for discussion, not something that is being shoved down anyone’s throat." Councilors Cindy Beaulieu, Janice Snyder, and Kevin McCann concurred, saying that the pension contribution must be increased and that each of the items has a purpose.
Delnicki said he was "shocked" by the proposal to increase the government budget more than the $1.5 million already proposed, and, like others, he thinks that the council needs to refocus and consider the taxpayers ability to pay.
Democratic Town Council Member Saud Anwar said that there is some value in the proposals, but that the timing in not right.
Democratic Council Member Keith Yagaloff vehemently opposed the increase, saying that it was irresponsible and would necessitate another public hearing before councilors even considered the changes.
The council will meet tonight at 7 to further their discussion on the budget proposal.
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