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04/24/2018 12:00 AMAfter two public hearings on the proposed fiscal year 2018-’19 budget, both the town and schools budgets return the East Haven Town Council for final consideration and approval on Wednesday, April 25.
Mayor Joseph Maturo, Jr., presented a proposed 2018-’19 budget that would increase spending by $2.02 million (roughly 2.2 percent) and raise the tax rate by 2.85 percent. While the town anticipates a $1.1 million reduction in state aid, Maturo said his budget absorbs that loss without a reduction in town services.
In a combined State of the Town address and budget presentation on March 29, Maturo provided details on the proposed $91.56 million town and schools budget, which, if adopted by the Town Council, will result in a 0.9 mill increase from 31.55 to 32.45 mills. Under the proposal, the Board of Education budget would increase by $233,000 or 0.49 percent. The budget also calls for increased spending on police and fire services.
The town’s fund balance would rise from the current $5.43 million to $5.78 million under Maturo’s proposal; the increase in fund balance is one of the cited drivers in credit rating agencies’ recent upgrades to the town’s credit rating.
At the public hearing on April 16 to discuss the schools budget, residents came out to express concern that the superintendent’s original budget request was reduced by $1 million. Residents suggested that not honoring the full budget request would have a negative affect on staffing levels and programs like adult education.
Council members did not agree with comments made by residents and unanimously voted to recommend the schools budget as presented. Maturo said every department always asks for more money than it is given and reducing a budget request does not mean that the schools cannot be successful.
“I think we almost spend $16,000 per pupil and in the surrounding towns in Connecticut that is on the high side,” he said. “Anybody who wants to look at those statistics will see that East Haven is very concerned about the money we dedicate to our education system and we are on the high side.”
The Town Council then reviewed the town side of the budget on April 18. The council voted to amend the budget ordinance following budget workshops by adding $48,812 to the town budget. The additions include salary adjustments for various departments as additions for the Recreation Department. Council then directed the Finance Director Paul Rizza to amend the revenues as necessary to accommodate the changes, a move Rizza said would not result in an additional increase to the mill rate.
The Town Council unanimously voted to send the town budget forward with the recommended changes. Maturo said this is a responsible budget that delivers the necessary services and doesn’t place to high a burden on taxpayers.
“We take pride in doing more with less and saving our taxpayers valuable dollars so that they can spend it on their families,” he said.
The final Town Council meeting on the budget is Wednesday, April 25 at 7 p.m. at the East Haven Senior Center, 91 Taylor Avenue.