With the budget deadline rapidly approaching, Derby tax board members are considering a possible tax increase of 1.5 mills.
That’s about $234 more in taxes next year for a property assessed at $160,000.
Nothing is set in stone, just yet. Tax board members met Tuesday in the City Hall basement to examine budget requests — and to explore their options.
As of Tuesday, Szewczyk said it looked like the school district could receive a funding increase in the neighborhood of 3 percent.
The school board was hoping for 7.3 percent.
The school budget already includes staff reductions.
School business manager Pamela Mangini said a 3 percent increase would result in layoffs.
“More than likely we would have to reduce services and people,” Mangini said.
If the tax board passed the combined city and school budgets as requested by department heads and the school district, the tax rate would increase by 2.5 mills.
That would increase the average tax bill next by $396.
Tax board members don’t want to do that.
An informal poll of tax board members showed they wanted to whittle the budget so the increase fell somewhere between .9 and 1.9 mills — with 1.5 mills being the common ground.
To hit that magic number, members of the tax board will have to trim $905,700 off a proposed 2011-2012 spending plan of $36.6 million.
How they’ll manage that remains to be seen. Tax board chairwoman Judith Szewczyk told her fellow members to work on it, then report back at the next budget workshop, scheduled for 7 p.m. May 3 in City Hall (all meetings are open to the public).
In addition to the May 3 workshop, the tax board tentatively scheduled another workshop for May 4.
A public hearing on the budget is scheduled for 7 p.m. May 17 in City Hall.
Hey i would just like thank the Derby Democratic Party, for individuals like Mr. Hyder for standing in the way of the United Methodist homes from building in Derby a Long term care facility in Derby. You worked so hard to prevent that project now the tax payers will be rewarded with a tax increase. I hope the citizens of Derby remember what the Democrats did during that referendum.
I wonder if the estimated 500k in taxes would have helped this year. I am curious what Mr Hyder has to say on this subject…now…i think the Democratic Party should issue and apologize for their behavior during that whole vote….spreading lies about the project.
crashbandit,
You clearly do not know me and what I stand for. I’ve been a part of the Derby Democratic Town Committee since 2009, less than 2 full years. I’m sorry, but I don’t have any recollection of the United Methodist Long-Term Care facility you speak of. You’re right, it is a shame that project didn’t proceed.
So lets project this into real numbers. 1.5 mills is reported as possible tax increase. Current rate is 27.4 for 10/11 FY. 1.5 divided into 27.4 is 5.5%. Basically take your property taxes paid last year, and increase it by 5.5%, both house and autos. Reporters always seem to use examples of assessed property and they just make it complicated and they illustrate little comparison for the individual impact.
If the funding requests are all satisfied, and the tax rate goes up by 2.5 mills, that is 9.1% increase in taxes that we can expect.
Only looking at the expenditure side of running Derby (funding requests) is ill advised. That is the numerator on the formula and will increase forever.
Leadership needs to look at the tax base side for running Derby (grand list) as that is the denominator on the formula. This needs attention – especially with downtown vacant far too many years.
Expenses (numerator) over the grand list (denominator) equals the mill rate. Simple math.
I know who Mr Hyder is but i also know who his friends are….Mr Tibbs your must not know much about how economies work….You see in the state of CT the only growth business is health care, particular assisted living facilities for seniors. In fact that space is projected to grow because of a growing baby bomber population…and i would point out that the elderly housing in Derby is mostly section 8…these units would be not on the public doll. I love how people say we don’t need more elderly…..so instead of adding 100 new elderly residents and 300k (low estimate) in taxes you would rather what??????? Elderly have low impact on cities…
If the current administration gradually raised taxes during the last couple of years, we would not be in this mess. You can only go so long without raising taxes. That 5 million dollar surplus would of been nice to have now!!
Sharpeye! Get your facts straight, the agreement was for the developer to tear down the buildings and for the town to relocate the current businesses. Derby failed to do this and complained the developer was not making progress. Derby did not live up to it’s end the deal costing us the million. Before you speak get your facts straight. Derby needs change!!