Opinion: Looking a Trojan Gift Horse in the Mouth

Written by Bethel Action Committee

While Bethel officials are celebrating the first proposed tax freeze since 2007, at the same time it is wise to look beyond the euphoria.

In 2007-2008, Bethel enjoyed a revenue bubble that propelled a nearly 10% spending increase in the town portion of the budget, while the mill rate stayed flat. Taxpayers approved this huge increase in baseline spending because there was no tax hike that year. The BAC opposed it because of the future tax increases this spending spike all but guaranteed; however, the voters approved it at referendum.

This year's tax freeze is no different. While the mill rate may fractionally decline, spending will increase by over $1 million. This is due to the combined effect of reduced health insurance costs and approximately $800,000 in grand list growth revenue.

If approved, this proposed budget adds four new school employees and two new town employees, at a time when Governor Malloy is cutting down the number of state employees as well as state disbursements to municipalities for dozens of programs. This is a direct result of the $900 million revenue shortfall in next year's state budget!

I cannot remember the last time Bethel hired six new employees in a proposed budget. Further, I have never witnessed the Board of Finance kept in the dark about the total number of new employees until it was revealed at the Annual Town Meeting!

The sweet siren song of a zero mill increase just may distract the electorate into approving a virtual hiring binge that effects future budgets for many years to come.

This proposed budget is hardly a gift to Bethel taxpayers. It is a Trojan horse.

Vote No! Too High on Tuesday April 12.