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Not a One-Year Problem

When the canary in the coal mine dies, it no longer is the problem of the canary. These are the problems at hand in the Clinton fiscal coal mine:

The new budget requested is an increase in spending from last year by 4.4 percent. This is a tax increase of three-plus mills, or $800 more yearly tax on a house assessed at $250,000.

Sadly, foreclosures in Clinton are just under four per month—folks losing homes, jobs, and a life.

Our mill rate/tax will go up anyway because the Grand List—the total value of all the taxable property in town—is flat; actually down a bit.

The State of Connecticut budget is suggesting a more than $5 million reduction in Clinton’s funding. This creates a set of strange circumstances. Our budget, the 4.4 percent increase, is voted on Wednesday, May 10. Voters have a voting option. Approve of a spending increase of 4.4 percent or not.

After the final state cuts are in place sometime midsummer, however, a new issue arises.

We are guessing now at revenue coming from the state for this budget. With a shortfall, an additional special tax will sent out. It might be an increase of another two mills, more or less, so on a house assessed for $250,000, the potential is that this new added tax could be more than $200. And this is not, I repeat, not a one-year problem.

There is also a new $7 million debt/bonding package. Taxpayers can vote that on May 10.

On Wednesday, April 12, at Town Hall at 7 p.m., there is a public hearing on the budget. All town taxpaying adults are welcome to speak and ask questions, and get a budget copy.

On May 10, those who pay property tax in Clinton should vote. This is their budget.

Ona Nejdl

Clinton

Ona Nejdl serves on the Board of Finance.