Politics & Government

Selectmen Present Projected Budget Breakdown

The First Selectman is arranging office hours for anyone who would like to discuss the budget.


Newtown's most up-to-date budget proposal was presented at the Board of Selectmen’s meeting Monday night, July 2. 

Issued by Director of Finance Robert Tait, the $106,246,838 proposed budget carries a tax increase of 0.69%.

There are three major components of the budget that contribute to the increase, according to First Selectman Patricia Llodra -- municipal services, debt service and the Board of Education.

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Under the latest budget proposal, municipal services has decreased by $130,000, to -0.14 percent of its current funding level. 

The Board of Education budget increase of $384,367, or 0.41%, comes in for a total of $68,355,794.

Find out what's happening in Newtownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Debt service has increased on a yearly basis by $337,396, or 0.36%, which translates to a total $10,059,789. What that means for a taxpayer with an average property tax bill of $8,000 is that $26 of his/her $55 increase would be due to debt service. 

According to Selectman William Rodgers, the debt service increase is due to a contractual commitment from years past. “We have no control over this,” he said. 

There has been a 0.06% decline in other revenues, Llodra said, which translated to an addition of $54,718 to the tax increase. 

The overall projected tax increase of $1,286,481 is decreased by $640,000, which is the result of an increase in the Grand List.

“If you add all of these up, it amounts to $646,481, which is exactly the amount of the increased tax burden,” Llodra said.

The mill rate would be 24.54 -- 0.69% higher than the current 24.37 mills. For a further breakdown of the budget, see the attached PDF.

This is Newtown's fifth shot at passing the 2012-13 budget., with many calling for a budget that carries no tax increase. The next referendum is scheduled for July 12 at Newtown Middle School.

Have Your Say

For those residents who would like to discuss any aspect of the budget, Llodra has scheduled additional office hours. The chair and vice chairs of the Board of Finance, Board of Education and the Legislative Council may also choose to attend meetings. Llodra said that at least some of the board members will be available to answer questions.

The hours are:  

  • Sunday, July 1, 10-11:30 a.m.
  • Wednesday, July 4, 2-3 p.m.
  • Friday, July 6, 5-6 p.m.
  • Saturday, July 7, 2-3 p.m.
  • Monday, July 9, 5-6:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, July 10, 5-6:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, July 11, 5-6:30 p.m.


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