Public Hearing Monday For Proposed Bethel Budget

BETHEL, CT — A public hearing is scheduled for Monday evening to discuss the proposed 2022-23 budget.

The proposed $85.5 million spending plan would allocate $51.2 million for the schools, and $34.3 million for the municipal piece. The total would be a 3.4 percent increase over the current combined town and school budget.

The Board of Finance shaved $114,000 from the Board of Selectmen's proposal, but has left the schools' ask — an increase of about 4.3 percent over the current budget — relatively intact.

The proposed budget calls for total tax revenues of $74,314,390, a $3,426,816 increase over the current spending plan.

Notable budget line increases include a roughly 12.5 percent hike for the Highway Department, and 15.7 percent more for the Stony Hill Fire Department. The Bethel Police Department will be using part of their proposed $5.4 million budget allocation —an increase of over 4.5 percent — to hire two new officers. The proposed building and inspection budget represents an 18.7 percent increase for that department, and the information technology spend is on its way to a 12.6 percent hike. The total proposed municipal budget is a 2 percent increase over the current spending plan.

The new mill rate, if approved, would be 34.64, representing a 1.1 percent increase in taxes,or about $82 a year for the average Bethel homeowner.

The hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Monday at Bethel Middle School. The Annual Town Meeting will be held 7 p.m., Apr. 4 in the Bethel High School auditorium.