$34M Budget Moves to April 17 Public Hearing
Residents will have the chance to weigh in on a $34 million spending package for the upcoming fiscal year at an April 17 public hearing.
The Board of Finance (BOF) will hold the hearing over the proposed $34,074,997 budget on Wednesday, April 17, at 7 p.m. at Town Hall. The proposed operating budget represents a 2.3% increase over the current spending. The proposed capital plan has $2,455,977 in projects in year one.
BOF Chairman Paul Winch said the operating budget is comprised of a town budget of $14,040,255 and a Board of Education budget of $20,034,742
Winch said nothing was cut from the proposed education budget, but over the course of several workshops, the BOF did make cuts to the proposed town budget.
“We were able to get it down. There were no draconian cuts, but we were able to save money on insurance and get the debt down,” Winch said.
Beyond normal drivers of change like inflation, Winch pointed to contracted salary raises as another prominent reason for the increase. “We had a collecting barraging that led to a salary increase we had to build in; that is a big reason for the increase,” Winch said.
As for the capital budget, Winch said funds were allocated for a new police vehicle, projects at the schools, public works and fire department equipment, and long-term projects like paving.
“This whole BOF group worked hard on this budget and it was a great effort by all of us. We also got involved with the Board of Selectmen earlier in the process with workshops that got us all on the same page when it came to capital, “ Winch said.
Next Steps
Following the public hearing, the BOF will hold a special meeting to make any last changes to the proposed budget. The budget will then be sent to a town meeting on Monday, May 13, where voters can vote on the spending plan. That meeting is at the high school at 7 p.m.
While most area towns conduct budget approvals via referendum, Westbrook has mainly used a town meeting format for the last eight years. One benefit of a town meeting vote is that the town can publish a citizen’s voting guide for the budget.
The citizen’s guide is intended to inform voters about the budget and the town’s finances before voting. State guidance directs that the town remain neutral in presenting the budget details in any summary document presented to the voters.
The citizen’s guide will be sent out after the public hearing and before the referendum. More information on the proposed budget is available at www.westbrookct.us.