Live Blog: Town Council Budget Session

8:30 p.m.

Meeting adjourned.

8:20 p.m.

Councilors vote to set the budget referendum for Tues., May 10 between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. at all 7 polling places.

The total budget increase, according to Town Manager Peter Souza, is 1.07 percent.

8:15 p.m.

Coucilor Jubrey says that he will not vote in favor of the motion to accept the revenues budget because money from the state is not yet guaranteed.

Councilor Simon asks Jubrey if he has any suggestions in terms of a number, and reminds Jubrey that the council has to make a decision tonight and put forth a budget.

Councilor Jepsen and Mayor Trinks both say that the council is in a tough position because they don't know what is going to come from the state, and they must take a leap of faith.

Motion to accept revenues line carries 8-1 with Jubrey voting against.

8:10 p.m.

Motion made to decrease general government budget by $16,500, the amount that would fund First Town Downtown.

A motion to amend the budget has been made by Councilor McDonald to increase the general government in order to return the funds and fund the merger of First Town Downtown and the Chamber of Commerce.

"Unfortunately at this point in the budget process, I don't know how this will affect the mill rate, the expenditures...," said Mayor Trinks.

According to Councilor Jubrey, the council received a letter from the president of First Town Downtown and the director of the Chamber of Commerce expressing their plans to merge and their request for 100-percent funding.

The motion to amend the proposed budget fails, 5-4; Jepsen, McDonald, Eleveld and Jubrey voted in favor.

8:00 p.m.

Motion to reduce the Public Works Department budget by $150,000, which would be for equipment replacement. Funds for vehicle replacement will be taken out of the general fund, Councilor Herzfeld said.

Jepesen says money should be in the budget if there are plans to purchase a vehicle. "To me that's a subterfuge," he said of taking the money out of the general fund and not accounting for vehicle replacement in the department budget.

Jubrey says he would have liked to see Public Works Dept. reduce staff. "I am going to vote against this because I would like to see one or two staff [cuts]."

Simon said that the argument against the motion holds no weight because the council voted  in the past to set money aside for vehicle replacement. "To pretend that this is unusual is more than a stretch," he said.

Motion carries 5-4 with Councilors Jepsen, McDonald, Eleveld and Jubrey voting against it.

7:55 p.m.

Final motions are underway.

Move to set Board of Education budget down from $62 million by $300,000.

Jepsen says he doesn't know where $300,000 will come from in the budget, but will vote in favor of it. Deputy Mayor reminds public that the town council can not adjust specific line items in the Board of Ed. budget, but can make a number reduction.

Motion carries 8-1 with Councilor Jubrey voting against.

7:30 p.m.

According to Simon, proposed increases in projected town revenue are the result of recent agreements in state legislature that will return funds traditionally earned through a machinery and equipment tax program. Governor Malloy's original budget proposal did not allow municipalities to receive funds through this tax program.

7:25 p.m.

The council has moved to recess. All preliminary motions to accept department budgets were approved.

7:15 p.m.

Preliminary motions are underway. Proposed amendments to the budget are as follows:

Preliminary motion presented by Deputy Mayor Simon to decrease the Board of Education budget by $300,000 goes through, 6-0-2.

Preliminary motion presented by Deputy Mayor Simon to amend the Public Works budget by cutting $150,000 approved, 6-0-2.

Councilor McKenney moves to amend the general government budget by a reduction of $16,500, and it is approved, 6-0-2.

Deputy Mayor Simon moves to decrease total general fund expenditures by $466,000, approved, 6-0-2.

Simon moves to amend budget for revenues by increasing state grant revenue by $1 million, and increasing building and permit revenue line by $25,000. The motion carried by a vote of 6-0-2.

Councilors Ronald Eleveld and Aaron Jubrey abstained from voting.

6:51 p.m.

Councilor Jepsen is refusing to vote until Democrats release their final budget amendment numbers. Jepsen says he wants to know what the tax impact to the residents will be before going through the budget line by line. Deputy Mayor Alan Simon asked Jepsen if he has specific suggestions regarding amendments to the budget and the tax impact, but Jepsen said that the republicans' suggestions are subject to the numbers presented by democrats.

Mayor Trinks has concluded to go through the budget line by line.

6:50 p.m.

Mayor Trinks just opened the final budget session. The town council plans to go through the budget, department by department. Simon moves to amend budget by reducing the Board of Education budget $300,000.

6:45 p.m.

Grumbling in council chambers. The meeting has yet to begin, but is expected to kick off momentarily. Council members will have a final discussion on budget line items and vote on the proposal, which calls for a 4-percent tax hike for residents.