We are posting this news item from West
Hartford News
03/15/2007
8.5%
increase in revenue needed to meet expenses
By: Glenn Shafer , Staff Writer
This week, Town Manager Jim Francis requested a 5.9 percent increase to
the municipal operations budget for 2007-2008, and a 1.9 percent increase to
the Capital Improvement Plan. Combined with the recent request by
Superintendent of Schools David Sklarz for a 7.6 percent
increase in the education budget, a revenue increase of 8.5 percent is needed
to meet expenditures, Francis said.
According to Mayor Scott Slifka, budget reductions
are expected in the coming weeks, most likely from the Board of Education.
"We expect discussion with significant reductions in the Board of
Education budget," said Slifka. "The school
budget is the largest component, with the most flexibility. These decisions
will be difficult. The town-side decision will be even more difficult because
we have fewer options. The proposed increases, though, are too high. There are
no easy choices."
Public hearings regarding the
budget are scheduled for both March 29 at 3:30 p.m. and April 5 at 6 p.m. at
Town Hall.
If the budget is approved as is, the mill rate would drop from 46.19 to 31.43,
a reduction stemming from the significant rise in property values. Taxes,
however, could rise between 10 and 20 percent, depending on specific home
values.
In a new program approved by
the Town Council this week, however, residents over the age of 70 who have an
income of less than $35,800 if married and $28,800 if single, will receive a
tax freeze from the Oct. 1, 2006 Grand List. The program guidelines are set by
the state, not the town, and residents must apply for the program in the town
assessor's office between before May 15 with proof of income.
According to Joanne Ferraresso, the town assessor, about 500 people are
expected to apply for the program. The town is not, however, reimbursed by the
state but rather from a grant to provide tax relief for the elderly.
Town Council members Barbara Carpenter and Carolyn Thornberry urged residents
to inform the town about elderly residents who may not know about the tax
freeze program.
Next year, the town is
expecting revenue reductions in a number of areas, including grants and
reimbursements from the state. Building permits are also expected to drop next
year as
The town will add two new
garages to revenue growth, though, with the development of
Teresa McGrath is president
of West Hartford Taxpayer's Association. She said the town should only increase
its budget by 2.5 percent above fixed cost adjustments and that a phase-in for
taxes is not a solution to uncontrolled spending.
"The salaries and benefits of town employees can't go on," she said.
"It just doesn't end. The common taxpayer is not being
considered."
©West Hartford News 2007