The Seymour Board of Finance has started to refine a preliminary 2011-12 budget request of $51.41 million — up more than $2 million, or 4.8 percent, from the current town budget.
Robert Koskelowski, chairman of the Board of Finance, said Tuesday he wants to cut that requested increase as much as possible.
“We can’t have the budget increase over $2 million. People just can’t afford it,” Koskelowski said. “There are a lot of people living week
to week, not just seniors, but all age groups, even the working families with children going to schools.”
The finance board has started meeting with various town departments to have them explain why they need the requested increases. The next session is planned to be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at Town Hall.
Koskelowski said he will give departments an opportunity to explain their needs, but there is no doubt the budget requests must be cut.
“It is way too high,” Koskelowski said.
The Board of Finance crafts a proposed budget to send to voters in a referendum. Koskelowski said his goal is to have one referendum this year, after voters rejected early budget proposals last spring.
The town votes separately on the municipal budget and the schools budget.
The Board of Education has requested $30.24 million — a 3.9 percent, or $1.12 million increase. The proposal funds all current school programs — and adds some money for professional development, “smart boards” and cleaning equipment.
The town government portion of the budget is proposed at $16.11 million, an 11.4 percent increase, over the current $14.95 million budget.
The town proposal also includes $4.9 million in debt service costs, $50,000 in senior citizen freeze and $100,000 for the contingency fund, according to a budget summary from the town’s finance department.
The proposed tax rate increase to support this budget would be 28.22 mills up from 26.78 mills. If the budget was approved as is, the increase would mean a tax bill increase of about $288, to $5,644, for a taxpayer with a home assessed at $200,000.
A message seeking comment was left with First Selectman Paul Roy.
