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In Plain English

Recently I read an article in this paper in regard to the upcoming budget vote [April 6, “Clinton Seeks 4.4% Spending Increase for Town and Schools”]. The article referred a lot to percentages increasing in various departments. I would have liked the article to have informed the public on the actual mill increase that will occur, if the two budgets are passed. After all, the mill increase is the best way for the public to estimate how their taxes will go up.

From prior other letters and statements that I heard, the mill rate will go up three mills if the two budgets are passed. Broken down in plain English, that means an approximate $3 increase per $1,000 of property assessment, so a property with an assessed value of $200,000 will go up approximately $600.

I know there have been plenty of letters supporting the budget, but I also know that there are plenty of taxpayers who cannot afford increases of $450 or $600 or more to their taxes.

I encourage all taxpayers to think carefully before they vote on the two budgets this year.

Dennis M. Donovan

Clinton

Editor’s note: Higher than usual uncertainty in the state’s municipal funding levels means the anticipated mill rate impact of the budget is also more uncertain than usual. At press time, if the budget proposals are adopted, the anticipated mill rate increase is 3.1 mills, up 11.4 percent.