Mayor's Proposed $277M Budget Would Raise Danbury Taxes

DANBURY, CT — Mayor Dean Esposito has proposed a $277.5 million budget for fiscal 2022-23.

After five years with no increase to taxpayers, the proposed spending plan would raise the mill rate by 0.62 mills to 28.22, meaning the typical Danbury homeowner would see a quarterly real estate tax bill that is about $40 higher.

Esposito presented his budget to the City Council Tuesday evening.

The mayor's budget also calls for a 2.75 percent increase in water and sewer rates.

Esposito's proposed budget "prioritizes public safety, public health and education," and would fund six new police officers.

If approved, the schools will receive $141 million from the city under the mayor's budget, a 3 percent increase. Another $5.3 million will be carried over from surplus to give the schools a total of $146.3 million, or $9.3 million more than last year's allotment, but short of the $152 million requested by the Board of Education.

Above the proposed $4.1 million increase, a $207.9 education bond has also been proposed for the Danbury Career Academy, Elevator Tower for Hayestown Elementary, replacement of King Street Primary Roof, DHS Accreditation, and the construction of a new Pre-K/Early Childhood Center, according to the budget document.

The city and Board of Education have been awarded $32.0 million and $36.3 million, respectively of The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act and American Rescue Plan Act funds to mitigate the direct costs of the COVID pandemic and to aid in recovery efforts. Danbury has received approximately $18.7 million to date, according to Esposito's presentation.

The proposed spending plan "addresses the current needs of the Danbury community and lays the groundwork for the future. The Covid-19 pandemic fundamentally changed our City, pushing us to be more agile and creative in running the City more effectively and efficiently," Esposito said in a statement.

The City Council is scheduled to vote on the proposed budget during their May 3 meeting.