Accountability is the theme of budget season in Ansonia this year. That’s why I am encouraged to see commenter Brian Perkins calling for a reconciliation of the Board of Education budget. I would add to that a recommendation for a full, independent audit of what amounts to not only the largest city department, but one of the largest employers in New Haven County.
Truth be told, much of the recurring budget drama stems from a lack of transparency between the Board of Education and City of Ansonia. Year after year city officials are rebuffed in their request for detailed financial information, and end up making decisions based more on political pressure than solid numbers. Budgeting in the dark does not work.
As a member of the Board of Apportionment and Taxation, I can tell you how hard it is to make a decision under public scrutiny and pressure. Yet to make an informed decision, the scrutiny must properly be placed on the department making the budget request, with all the facts laid out on the table.
It’s worth noting as to why we are having the current budget debate. As many are aware, the aldermen rescinded the allocation of $600,000 from this year’s budget. What many may not realize is that this decision was based on the Board of Education’s receipt of an unanticipated $1.4 million grant. That unexpected funding, combined with the restrictive manner in which the state funded the city, caused a budget disaster for the city as a whole.
To simplify, the Board of Aldermen went out on a limb by allocating an additional $600,000 to the Board of Education before the state budget was finalized. That limb was splintered when the state budget was finally set.
State legislators apparently foresaw this possibility when they passed Public Action 17 – 2 Section 266 last year, which allows a city to amend its education budget based on unanticipated state aid, restoring balance to municipal finances.
The Board of Education would like the Aldermen’s amendment reversed, allowing them to retain the $600,000 not only this year, but on a permanent basis per the state’s so-called minimum budget requirement (MBR).
Residents deserve the facts on the amount that the schools need for the remainder of the 2017 – 18 budget year, as well their need for 2018 – 19. It is my sincere hope that the city and education officials can still unite to answer those questions for the good of our students and taxpayers.
Most importantly, it will take the exchange of information — not innuendo, allegations and lawsuits — to solve this problem.
The writer is a member of Ansonia’s Board of Apportionment and Taxation and chairman of the Republican Town Committee.
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