East Haven Budget Includes Largest Tax Decrease Since 1989

Mayor Joseph Maturo, Jr. announced Friday that, as a result of three straight budget surpluses and nearly $20 million dollars in debt reduction, the Town Council approved the mayor’s proposed $89 million dollar budget, and a half-mill tax reduction - the largest for East Haven in a non-revaluation year since 1989.

Maturo said in a prepared statement, “Since 2011, we have strived to balance the budget, restore our rainy day fund, and reduce debt. Our efforts have certainly paid off and this budget, including the half-mill tax reduction, reflects the incredible progress our community has made in just three short years.”

The final budget, which was approved by a party-line vote of eight Republicans to six Democrats (one Republican absent) by the Town Council on Thursday night calls for $89 million dollars in total appropriations and revenues, $750,000 dollars in new funding for the Board of Education, and continued debt payments of $5.4 million dollars that will reduce the town’s long-term debt to historically low levels.

Maturo continued, “Last year, we were awarded an upgrade in our credit rating from Moody’s, marking my third credit rating upgrade in 14 years. Thanks to that upgrade and our persistent efforts to pay down our debt, we were able to reduce our debt payment this year by $1.4 million dollars. As a result of this and over $600,000 dollars in new revenue attributable to grand list growth, we were able to return meaningful savings to the taxpayers in the form of the largest tax reduction in a non-revaluation year since 1989.”

According to Town records, the tax rate will be reduced under the new budget from 32.05 mills to 31.55 mills.

Maturo continued in a prepared statement, “Mill rate stability is always important, especially in light of the upcoming revaluation. However, this tax reduction is sustainable through 2017, meaning that residents will enjoy these savings for more than just one year. In addition, it is worth noting that as a result of the approved mill rate, nearly 70% of homes in Town will be paying less in taxes than they were in 2007 when I left office.”

While the budget approved by the Council reduced overall spending, Maturo noted that the spending reduction meant more efficient, and not reduced, programs.

Maturo continued, “While we have strived to operate more efficiently, we have maintained and even expanded the services and programs we offer residents. Since 2011 alone, we restored our Town beach with nearly 100,000 tons of pristine beach sand, completed a $1.2 million dollar upgrade of our 911 Public Safety Center, revolutionized our Police Department, and laid thousands of linear feet of new roads and curbs. Our taxpayers entrust us with their hard-earned money and, as a result, we’re making each and every dollar count .”

Maturo concluded, “For 14 of the past 18 years, we’ve enacted fiscally responsible budgets geared toward safeguarding the Town’s long-term financial health. I’m proud to have been able to offer meaningful tax savings in this budget while, at the same time, increasing services to our residents, including our seniors and our children. Thanks to a team effort and the trust the residents continue to place in this administration, East Haven continues to move forward on the right track.”