Missing a Crucial Detail
The front-page Harbor News article “Council Sets Mill Rate; Will Hold Fund Balance Workshop” (May 25) was informative but left out a crucial detail. The article explains how the Town Council kept the mill rate flat by appropriating approximately $283,000.00 from the general fund and that this appropriation was considered “dangerous” by some on the Council. Council member Chris Passante made the motion to approve the appropriation and was supported by fellow Democrats Carrie Allen and Hank Teskey, as well as Republican Council member Dennis Donovan.
What’s missing from the article is the amount in that general fund, which at the time of the meeting was in excess of $7 million. It is recommended by financial experts that towns maintain a general fund of 15% of the budget, which in Clinton’s case would be about $3.5 million on a budget of slightly more than $23 million. Appropriating the $283,000.00 still leaves nearly (or perhaps slightly more than) $7 million in that fund.
I don’t think Chris Passante’s motion was “dangerous,” as the Council was able to achieve a flat mill rate while ensuring we have plenty in the general fund. Interested residents may want to listen to the recording of the March 15 Town Council meeting where this issue is addressed. You will consistently hear the voices of Chris Passante, Carrie Allen, and Hank Teskey pressing for tax relief for Clintonians in spite of quite a bit of pushback from other Council members. I thank them for their efforts.
Mary Jo Phelps
Clinton