A handful of residents and one city alderman Tuesday called for a tougher look at the proposed $58.6 million budget proposal for 2010 – 2011, saying that the proposed tax increase would be too difficult in this economy.
“The only acceptable proposal is one that reflects lower spending and lower taxes,” said Alderman John Marini, the board’s only Republican.
The proposal, if approved, would mean an 8.4 percent increase in tax bills.
Gene Sharkey, the chairman of the board’s finance subcommittee, defended the proposal.
“Every increase we have in here is justified,” Sharkey said. “They’re there because they’re necessary. They’re there because they’re needed.”
The Increases
Those proposed increases include a $1.25 million increase in education spending; $73,000 more for the police department; $68,000 more for Ansonia Rescue and Medical Services and $337,000 more for the contingency account.
Board of Alderman President Steve Blume has said most of the increases come from contractual pay raises.
Sharkey Tuesday said those salary increases are still subject to union negotiations and so the numbers might change before the proposal is finalized in May.
The fact that there may be a primary election this year has also increased the elections budget. (Click here to read a previous article on the proposal.)
But Marini said the board should involve the public more in the process.
“We need innovation and we need creativity,” Marini said.
“It’s easy to get on a soap box and be a cheerleader and say ‘rah rah rah.’ How about coming up to the table with some solutions,” responded Alderman Scott Nihill. “I’m open to anything you can come up with.”
The Process
The finance subcommittee spends weeks talking with department heads to draft the budget proposal, then turns the plan over to the full Board of Aldermen.
According to city charter, the same night the Board of Aldermen gets the budget, it is passed along to the Board of Apportionment and Taxation for its review and scrutiny.
Marini took issue with the process, as well as the tax increase.
“This group as a board hasn’t sat down collectively to talk about it,” Marini said.
But other board members said there is still time for the tax board to trim the proposal. The Board of Apportionment and Taxation will meet again with the department heads to look for other places to trim.
“It’s a work in progress,” said Alderman Robert Duffus.
Public Input
Members of the public who spoke at the meeting also urged the board to find ways to prevent any tax increase.
“I think the budget is going to hit a lot of people hard,” said Joan Radin, the chairman of the Republican Town Committee. “People are just not going to be able to do it.”
“The people of Ansonia are overtaxed right now,” said resident Michael Egan. “Right now the citizens can not afford it. People are getting laid off. People are not getting raises.”
