SEYMOUR – On Wednesday (March 6), First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis unveiled her proposed $66.2 million budget for fiscal year 2024 – 2025 that raises taxes.
Under Drugonis’ budget, the mill rate would increase from 35.98 mills to 36.95 mills. That is an increase of 0.97 mills.
If the budget was approved as is, a homeowner with a house assessed at $175,000 would pay about $170 more in taxes next year.
“This budget takes into account the need to continue to grow our community all while keeping a watchful eye on the increase in taxes,” Drugonis said in her presentation to the finance board. “In order to grow and move forward, we need to invest in our community and sometimes this requires a slight tax increase.”
The budget is now set to be reviewed by the town’s finance board, and voters will get the final say later this spring. A budget referendum has been scheduled for 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on May 2 at the Seymour Community Center.
Board of Finance Chairman Richard Demko said the board’s review will begin on Monday (March 11).
Per the town charter, the finance board has to approve a budget by April 1. A public hearing on April 3 and the annual town meeting on April 17 will give residents a chance to weigh in on the budget. Drugonis said the town will apprise residents of the dates and times via a CODE RED call, as well as through the town Facebook page.
The $66.2 million bottom line combines two budgets: $26.7 million for the town, and $39.6 million for Seymour Public Schools. The combined bottom line increases spending by $2 million, or 3.2 percent over the current, $64.2 million budget.
Under Drugonis’ proposal, spending increases by about $718,574 on the town side of the budget, and $1.4 million on the education side.
Drugonis’ school budget proposal is about $300,000 short of what the school board requested last month.
Here’s a breakdown of the items driving the overall $2 million increase under Drugonis’ proposed budget:
*General government, Public Works and sanitation: $35,122
*Public safety: $171,989
*Utilities: $147,199
*Community services: $57,509
*Employee benefits: $21,305
*Board of Education: $1.4 million
*Debt service: $185,447
*Capital fund: $100,000
Drugonis said state mandates, including requiring more training for police, medical evaluations and cancer screenings for firefighters and early voting have been taken into account in her budget. She also said she is working with the school superintendent and talking with area towns to try to keep special education costs down.
“My staff and I spent five months going over this budget,” Drugonis told the finance board. “I ask this board to remember last year’s budget, and the three referendums we went through (before the budget passed). The more we cut, the more we’re just kicking the can down the road. I feel that this is a fiscally responsible budget.”
Other budget highlights include $4.7 million for the police department; $2.7 million for employee health insurance; $1.9 million for public works: $1.6 million for garbage collection; $544,299 for community services (recreation/senior center); $405,040 for the town library; and $348,800 for the fire department.
