Community Corner

Taxes, Schools the Likely Topics at Budget Hearing

The town is currently looking at an increase of $3.49 million, or 0.67 mills, but while some argue there is a need to increase school funding, others are requesting a zero increase budget in a tough economy.

The Southington Board of Education and Southington Town Manager have each put their budget proposals in writing, asking for a combined $131.23 million for the 2013-14 fiscal year.

Now it's the public's turn to weigh in.

Before making their own adjustments to the town's annual joint budget proposal later this month, they will first seek input from the taxpayers as to what they would hope to see. And with a struggling economy and a variety of infrastructure needs and new state mandates for schools, it could mean an interesting budget season.

"These kids our this towns future and we need to invest in them now," Michelle Hall Hancock said on the Southington Patch Facebook page Thursday. "Passing the Board of Education budget will only enhance the town in a latter date. If we don't other towns are going to surpass us."

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The Board of Education budget makes up the majority of the town's budget, with $85.33 million requested for the 2013-14 school year, .

With taxpayers fighting to make ends meet, however, and the town about to embark on millions in road repairs and a referendum coming up on March 19 for $89 million to renovate the DePaolo Middle School and Kennedy Middle School, others say it's time to scale back increases.

Earlier this week, the Southington Board of Finance asked the district what it would cost to maintain level services. Sherri-Lin DiNello said Thursday that it would cost $84.76 million after contractual obligations to maintain existing services.

"The most pressing issue is getting ALL our elected officials to understand that they need to hold the line on tax increase! Most taxpayers simply cannot keep up with these $2 million to $4 million yearly increases from the Board of Education, plus all their 'extra' projects for $900,000 and then $740,000 every year," Art Cyr said on Facebook Wednesday. "We really need to starve the beast."

On the general government side, Town Manager Garry Brumback is proposing a $45.89 million proposal for the 2013-14 fiscal year, representing an increase of 1.31 percent or approximately $500,000 over the current fiscal year.

One new aspect of this year's budget is the implementation of a line item for the town's rainy dy fund, said Board of Finance Chairman John Leary. This is designed to creat a more transparent and "real" picture for residents. The town is also using a balanced budget for a second year in a row.

Under the new line item, the $3.49 miilion would require the town to also an additional $349,000 in funding for the rainy day fund. This could change if funding is increased or reduced later in the process.

"If every year the revenue increases, then rainy day fund must increase,” Leary said. “If we are looking at a $3 million increase in spending, that means we need $300,000 also put in it to maintain that fund balance. In past years, including last year, the town needed to generate surplus by design to keep that fund balance.”

As currently presented, the combined budgets after anticipated revenues would mean a 0.69 mill increase; the increase would mean an increase of $69 per home valued at $100,000, $138 for homes valued at $200,000 and $207 for homes valued at $300,000.

The public hearing will take place at 7 p.m. at DePaolo Middle School on March 4. It is open to any taxpayers in Southington.

For a complete look at the proposed budget, be sure to scroll through the PDF attached here.

Will you be attending the public hearing? What is the most pressing issue facing the town? Share your thoughts.

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