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Return It to the Taxpayers

Whose money is it? Apparently, Madison is owed approximately $888,000 in state grants ($417,000 for Educational Cost Sharing grants, $295,000 in PILOT funds, and $176,000 in Municipal Stabilization funds), according to the approved state budget. Although these funds have not yet been received, town officials are already proposing the creation of various “slushy” accounts to hold these funds when received.

One such proposal is to help insulate the Board of Education (BOE) against unexpected future expenses associated with special needs students. We certainly must provide for our special needs students. However, isn’t estimating the associated costs part of the BOE’s and superintendent of school’s jobs?

Another proposal involves establishing an account to prepare for the possible future shifting of part or all of teachers pension funding from the state to municipalities. This scenario, if enacted, would be a disaster for the towns, and it is only being proposed due to the state’s continuing inability to operate within its means. Any Madison funds should be used solely for legal expenses to fight this absurd idea, in court, if necessary. Meekly providing additional money to the state will only ensure it will require more in the future.

Wouldn’t it be great if we taxpayers could expect to get funds from the Town of Madison to protect us from future unanticipated increases in our household budgets?

Actually, the grant funds, when received, should be put into an account solely for the purpose of mitigating increases in next year’s mill rate. In other words, return it to the taxpayers. The Board of Finance correctly budgeted revenue for this year not expecting these state grants, thereby raising the current mill rate, thus any forthcoming grant money should not be a windfall to the town or schools; it should be returned to Madison’s taxpayers.

Allen Jewell

Madison