Two members of the city’s Democratic Party were the only members of the public to speak during a hearing on the city’s proposed budget Tuesday.
They questioned whether enough effort went to alerting the public about the annual budget hearing.
David Knapp, a former Alderman and current chairman of the local Democratic Party, questioned whether the proposed spending plan for the city had been published on the city’s website.
“Was it ever published in any of the local newspapers? I know we don’t have any so-called local newspaper,” Knapp said before referencing the Ansonia City Charter, a set of rules explaining how the local government should work.
Ansonia Town Clerk Janet Waugh said a hearing notice was posted on the city’s website and in a newspaper.
Knapp said he was talking about the budget details, beyond the where and when contained in a public notice.
Waugh said it was a financial decision.
She said a full-page ad with budget details in a daily newspaper would have cost $2,800.
The small notice cost about $100 in print, Waugh said.
State law, Ansonia officials have previously said, prevents the city from seeking cheaper alternatives for legal notices, such as online newspapers.
Knapp advised Waugh to look at the Ansonia City Charter.
Waugh said the process followed was the same as last year.
Knapp said the process violates the charter.
“If it’s not in the newspaper, if it’s not on the website, how is Mr. and Mrs. Taxpayer supposed to review or look at a budget?” Knapp said.
Knapp said the government can’t expect intelligent feedback if people don’t know what’s going on with the budget.
Bart Flaherty also spoke, saying up front he was not appearing as a “disgruntled Democrat,” a description Mayor David Cassetti used in late March.
Flaherty asked whether there would be another public hearing on the budget if changes are made in the next few weeks.
Aldermanic President Phil Tripp said he would have to check with the corporation counsel. Officials then indicated there would be another chance for the public to formally weigh in.
In the meantime, the Board of Aldermen’s finance committee is currently reviewing a spending plan approved by the city’s tax board last month that would increase taxes slightly.
Under the tax board’s budget — a summary is posted below — the city’s mill rate would go from its current 37.52 to 37.92.
That means a person with a house assessed at $150,000 would pay about $60 more in taxes.
City officials are hoping changes to the city’s insurance plans may deliver big savings — and a tax break for residents.
Click here to read previous stories about the budget process.
The Aldermen’s finance committee will hold budget workshops this month before voting on a final spending plan at a meeting tentatively scheduled for April 28.
