Politics & Government

Council Members Compromise, Reduce Education Funding Request

Council members approved a nearly $1 million reduction of the town manager's proposal by a 7-2 vote Wednesday night.

It wasn't unanimous, but council members called it a compromise when they voted to reduce the board of education's funding request by $100 thousand at Wednesday's special town budget meeting.

The reduction would bring the board's proposed funding down to roughly $63.9 million from about $64 million.

The cut was one of several council Democrats and Republicans agreed upon to send a budget to referendum representing a 2.18 percent tax hike. 

The town manager's proposal represented a 3.2 percent tax hike — a hike that would effectively turn into a 4.5 percent bump in the town's final phase of a five-year property revaluation.

Among the other cuts approved by the council were $20,000 from counsel and legal fees, money for road repair and public works equipment, debt service and support of open space retention and the Windsor Historic Society's restoration of the Strong-Howard house.

All but the $20,000 budgeted counsel and legal fees will be paid for by the town through surplus money in its general reserve fund.

Deptuy Mayor Al Simon, at the council's last meeting, said the town has made more money than expected due to Dollar Tree's building permit fees, and can use that money to bring down the overal budget increase and tax impact to residents.

The move did just that, dropping the mill rate from 27.95 to 27.92.

The overall budget was reduced by the council by nearly $1 million. The total budget now amounts to just over $101.2 million.

The council approved the overall budget by a 7-2 vote, with counselors Mike McDonald (R) and Lisa Boccia (I) voting against it.

The referendum has been set for Tues., May 14. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.


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