Seymour First Selectman Kurt Miller is proposing a town budget that would see spending increase by 3.6 percent.
The increase would pay for new departments, such as human resources and technology, to help make the town more efficient, Miller said.
The 2012 – 2013 proposal — Miller’s first in his role as First Selectman — is being reviewed by the Board of Finance.
The town and education budgets will eventually be voted on by the residents of Seymour at a referendum.
Miller has proposed the following:
Town Budget: $16,626,004 — a 5.7 percent increase over the current budget of $15,729,734.
Board of Education: $30,768,721 — a 3.27 percent increase over the current budget of $29,794,803.
The Board of Education is asking for more money — $31.3 million — than Miller is recommending. Click here for more details about the Board of Education request.
If approved as presented, the total town spending would be $52,335,018 — which is a 3.67 percent increase over current spending of $50,480,019.
The town has not determined the impact on the tax rate yet. The town recently went through a revaluation, which will likely affect the tax rate before taking into account any budget increases.
“I hope people will see that we’re trying to be a little bit more professional,” Miller said Thursday.
The budget proposal reflects that mentality, Miller said.
“We are essentially a $52 million business. We need to run the town in that way,” Miller said. “Things like human resources and technology, those are key components in any successful business. I’m hoping the residents of Seymour see that.”
Board of Finance Chairman Trisha Danka said the finance board recognizes the need for several of Miller’s proposals.
“Our hope is that we’re going to be looking at the overall budget and balance it out so these new initiatives can finally be through and help the town,” Danka said.
New Spending
Miller said the budget includes about $265,000 in new spending for his proposals. The rest of the proposed increase comes from items such as salary and insurance increases, and higher energy costs.
Miller’s proposals include the following:
- $40,000 for “human resources,” which would either pay a part-time employee or a consultant to perform the tasks. There was previously no budget for Human Resources.
“I spend the vast majority of my day on HR issues, and I honestly don’t believe that’s what the people of Seymour elected me to do,” Miller said.
The town recently received the results of a human resources study that outlined several shortcomings in the way the town handles the functions now.
- $140,125 for data processing and computer services. The town previously spent $44,000 for the services.
“I would like to have a physical person in town to address any technology issues that arise,” Miller said.
The town has an “inefficient system” now, where it uses consultants, who are not always available to fix problems that occur during the day.
“It makes sense that we have someone on staff,” Miller said.
He said the person hired would split time with the police department, which also has its own budget for IT services. About half of the budget would be used to purchase new computers and programs, and work on the town’s website.
- $27,960 for Emergency Management. The town previously spent $12,331.
The increase would give the Emergency Management Director a $5,000 stipend, for the first time. The director, Thomas Eighmie, doesn’t currently receive any stipend.
The budget also adds money for communication, clothing and gasoline expenses.
Public Hearing
The Board of Finance will review the budget requests during March, and then the public will have a chance to weigh in at a public hearing on March 29.
The hearing will take place at Seymour Middle School at 7 p.m., Danka said.
Then, the Board of Selectmen holds a town meeting on the budget, and sends it to a referendum, where voters decided whether to pass the proposals.
Seymour residents vote separately on the town budget and the school budget.
In the past, the school budget has taken several tries to be passed by residents.
Danka and Miller said they are aware of the economic problems facing many residents.
“It’s a very fine line between keeping our mill rate as low as possible, but still moving the town forward,” Miller said.
“I think the economy is still sluggish. I acknowledge that. I think the whole board acknowledges that,” Danka said.
But, Danka said, you can’t remain stagnant.
“Our plan is to put forth something we think is palatable to the public, but also has some of these initiatives that are very much needed and gives the town and the Board of Education something they can work with and use to grow and get better,” Danka said.
