Despite the lack of interest Mr. DiCenso’s letter generated last week, I am inclined to issue a response to his statement.
For the past two years, I was afforded the opportunity to gain some valuable experience in Ansonia under Mayor Cassetti. During this time, I learned some very helpful ways to help bring new business to a small municipality.
Below, I have provided some factual information, as opposed to Mr. DiCenso’s letter, which was full of conjecture and hypothetical scenarios.
Taxes: Under the current administration in Derby, taxes have increased by over 3 mills since 2013, making our city the 18th highest taxed community in the state. Ansonia’s taxes have decreased by 2 mills in that same time period. Ansonia’s current mill rate is 37.32, while Derby’s has skyrocketed to 39.37. Derby residents therefore shoulder a higher tax burden than those in Ansonia, due to the tax priorities of President DiCenso and his administration.
Rainy Day Fund: Ansonia’s “rainy day” fund (technically known as the undesignated fund balance) is presently 15% of its total budget, and will be 9.3% if the proposed 2017 – 2018 budget passes without modification. Derby’s undesignated fund balance, however, is just 5% of its total budget.
In fact, Derby has the lowest “rainy day” fund balance of any surrounding municipality. Lower than Naugatuck (7.82%), Seymour (11%) or Woodbridge (10.17%) and lower than Ansonia (15% currently, potentially 9.3% for 2017 – 18). Also, recall that Ansonia has maintained a high fund balance without raising taxes for three — going on four — years.
The average “rainy day” fund is between 8 – 10% of a city’s total budget. Many cities pledge not to descend lower than an 8% balance (such as Woodbridge). Not only does Derby have a lower than average fund balance, but I would argue that it has a dangerously lower than average fund balance, despite the increase in taxes.
This fact raises an interesting question: If President DiCenso is concerned about Ansonia’s strong fund balance, should he not then be absolutely mortified at Derby’s below average reserve? If so, why has he remained silent about the state of the Derby fund balance during his years in office?
Grand List. Derby’s grand list has severely fallen during President DiCenso’s time in office. he total grand list has dropped from $748 million to $718 million. That represents a loss of $30 million! Meanwhile, Ansonia’s grand list has increased by over $5 million in the last year alone. Therefore, Derby has been losing revenue from businesses while Ansonia has been gaining revenue.
Economic Development Grants. In my speech I mentioned the fact that Derby has brought back about $1.5 million in state and federal grant dollars since 2013. In that same time frame Ansonia has captured a whopping $17 million.
I can certainly agree with one thing President DiCenso has said: Derby can do better. However, I would argue that the bar has been set fairly low at this point.
Let’s not merely settle for “better.” Derby deserves “the best.”
As full time Mayor, I will devote all of my time and effort to lowering taxes, increasing the grand list and making Derby the very best it can be.
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