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Health & Fitness

Stop The Madness... Seniors Can't Afford Higher Taxes

A detailed look into the "side effects" of the proposed 2012 Windsor budget.

Connecticut’s fiscal problems are severe, but Windsor's fiscal problems are not far behind.

At the budget meeting last Wednesday, Deputy Mayor Al Simon put forward a $1 million amendment to the budget's revenue side. According to the Deputy Mayor, “The Governor's budget now plans to return that money to towns once again.”

Surely, Deputy Mayor Simon knows that the Governor’s budget “assumes” $2 billion in “concessions” from the State’s unionized work force over two years. Roughly, that is $20K dollars per employee, per year. What is the likelihood that the union will agree to such a proposal? Exactly, slim to none.

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So what happens if/when the State does not return that money to towns because it needs it to balance its budget? Well the Council could choose to temporarily run a deficit; or, they could take the money from “savings.”  Either way, they would most likely raise taxes once again (next year) to offset the revenue loss.

Overall, the Town (the school district is a component of the town budget) is increasing its 2012 spending by $1,026,360.00 (1.07% more than the 2011 approved budget) a tax increase (2012) of 2.2%. Note: The increase does not include the valuation phasing in. If we add together the phasing in and the proposed tax increase residents will see a combined growth in taxes somewhere in the 3% to 4.5% range (give or take).

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Increasing the current and future burden the proposed budget places on Windsor taxpayers  is the Board of Education (BOE) unanimous agreement to allow the school district to apply $600,000.00 in ONE TIME REVENUE to “partially” counteract the spending increase for the 2011 -2012 school budget. The school district’s "bottom line” for the 2011-2012 school year is $61,829,030. However, because $600,000.00 (one time cash influx from the feds) vanishes after this year – for the 2012-2013 school year the school district will come to the negotiating table with a bottom line budget of $62,429,030.00. This is a $600,000.00 increase (1.00% growth) over the approved budget without adding any new spending.  NOTE: Increase does not reflect any potential added overhead and/or incidental expenses, associated with the proposed school consolidation and/or the plan to introduce all-day kindergarten. Neither does it reflect any increase, which may come about because of the teachers’ contract negotiations scheduled to take place this summer.

Weighing the proposed budget against the reality of the rising cost of food, heating oil, gasoline, electricity and the continued joblessness in our state, I am taking the liberty of making some “common sense” suggestions to our elected officials.

DO NOT SPEND MORE THAN YOU HAVE. Draft a budget using actual revenue not pie in the sky promises.

PRIORITIZE. CUT SPENDING ACCORDINGLY. However “small” (a relative term) the proposed tax increase is purported to be, many Windsor residents, cannot afford to pay any more money in taxes. They simply do not have it to give. Instead of raising taxes, reduce spending. Diminishing spending is difficult , unpopular, affects friends, neighbors and/or special projects. However, our elected officials ran for office, knowing the job would require tough decision. It is not about political expediency. Likewise, leading also commands a will to work together, without disqualifying or bullying. Therefore present us with a plan that both sides support because it is good for the people.

DO NOT BORROW. Delay all bonding/borrowing short of an “emergency”. 

Not all is bleak. I am sure every person that voted in favor of Deputy Mayor Simon’s $1 million amendment to the budget's revenue side feels confident that the monies will materialize. So, plan for the worst (no extra money coming back from the state) but on a brighter note when we receive the money (bird in hand), use it to eliminate as many of the cuts as possible.

In fairness, the Council put forth genuine effort coming up with a budget. However, all considered I respectfully ask that they go to back to work and present us with a more dependable revenue plan, together with a comprehensive plan for spending cuts that “shares the pain” more evenly. 

I urge Windsor residents to VOTE NO on the budget referendum on May 10.

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