Budget Not Set in Stone
By Robin Vinci | Editor at April 21, 2024 | 6:15 pm | Print
After listening to speakers and talking to constituents, Common Council members said there is a lot of work to be done and a one and one-half mill increase in taxes is not necessarily going to happen.
“I got some phone calls from people who could not come to the meeting who were worried about seniors especially ones with fixed and low incomes paying more taxes,” said Alderman Don Naples. “There is one with increases in medical costs. Her friend pays $900 a month in diabetes medicine and can’t pay her bill all at once as it is now.”
Only six people spoke at the annual budget hearing Tuesday night.
“I think there is still some work to be done in the budget,” said Democratic Minority Leader Alderman Carlo Carlozzi. “I’m disappointed that more people did not come out and speak. I don’t think it reflects people not being interested. They may think it is because their voices won’t be heard, but their voices will be heard.”
“The budget is more complicated than people think,” said Alderman Daniel Salerno. “We still have to wait on the state. I hope we get this budget passed sooner rather than later.”
Mayor Erin Stewart’s proposed budget for 2016-17, puts the budget at $239.2 million.
The 2015-16 budget is $226.4 million with a mill rate of 49 mills. The proposed budget increases 5.64 percent to 50.50 mills. One mill is $2.48 million.
The biggest increase in the Mayor’s budget is $2.5 million that will go towards the board of education.
“I think it’s a realistic budget. I think we are better putting this budget forward without inflated revenue numbers. It is a balanced budget,” said Majority Leader Alderman Jamie Giantonio. “I’m surprised only six people turned out so I can interpret it as people aren’t that upset about it. There still is a lot of work to be done. We have until June to look at this budget.”
Several speakers were upset by the tax increase.
Resident John Kristopik said that Connecticut has the sixth highest property tax in the country and New Britain has third highest mill rate in the state.
“In the past New Britain was known as a soft touch,” said Kristopik. “I would like to see New Britain give a hand up and not a hand out.”
Resident Heidi Lagasse pointed out a number of facts in teacher contracts that gave great benefits.
“I’m wondering who the City is working for. The best interest of the residents or the best interest of the unions,” said Lagasse. “You’re asking the residents to absorb yet another tax increase and I am wondering how you can ask that of us.”
Lagasse added that the City needs to learn to live within its means.
“Stop reaching into our pockets and go back to unions and tell them that we, the residents, have no more to give to fund their elaborate benefit packages.” Lagasse said.
“The mill rate is way too much,” said Resident Dolores Sherwill. “The people who stay here keep having to pay more and more. People keep laughing at us.”
Many speakers at the budget hearing spoke in favor of more funds for education.
“The League of Women Voters, New Britain area, is very concerned about the proposed funding of the education budget,” said Ann Speyer. “The league does not find a $2.1 million gap (in education funds) to be acceptable.”
Mariola Nelson, also from the League of Women Voters agreed with Speyer.
“It is now time for the priorities of the City budget to change,” said Nelson. “If we want to rebuild the middle class to thrive here, we simply need to improve our school district.”
“Our students deserve better than this,” said Ken Speyer. “I don’t like tax increases any more than anyone else, but we as community must do what is right by our kids even if it means higher taxes.”
The Common Council will pass a budget no later than June 8.
