RTC Claims Budget Process Flawed, Town Responds As Budget Workshops Continue, Public Hearings Slated

EAST HAVEN, CT — As the town's '26-'27 fiscal year budget process is underway with workshops and, in mid-late April, public hearings, East Haven Republicans say they are "sounding the alarm" on the process.

In a statement sent to the media, the East Haven Republican Town Committee said it has "serious concerns about the fiscal management and procedural integrity of the ongoing town budget process."

The statement goes on to cite concerns by Beth Purcell and Ralph Vitale, Republicans serving on the Board of Finance, who the RTC said "raised critical issues during recent deliberations, noting that the revenue side of the budget was $1.7 million short. The state-required audit has not been completed, meaning we are being asked to pass a budget without verified figures from last year."

The RTC quoted both members as saying they "moved to table the budget vote until the audit was complete but were outvoted 4 to 2. We then voted against the budget—again, on a 4 to 2 vote. This represents bad government and irresponsible actions."

Town responds

When asked to respond to the RTC's statement in a news release, town spokesperson and head of the HR department, Ed Sabatino, who was in attendance at budget workshops, said the process is working as intended.

"The budget workshops are designed to raise questions, review assumptions, and refine projections. That work occurred in an open and transparent setting, with every member given the opportunity to engage, ask questions, and request additional information," Sabatino said. "While some chose to engage more than others, the process itself provided full access and visibility. I was in attendance at these workshops, and the level of engagement from Republican members does not reflect the urgency now being suggested publicly."

East Haven Republican Town Committee chair Eric Kropiwnicki said the committee is "also deeply concerned about a proposed significant tax increase contained in this budget."

"As it stands, residents are facing at least a 2.5 mill increase on their property taxes," he said. "Asking taxpayers to absorb such a substantial hike while the underlying numbers remain unaudited and unverified is neither fair nor fiscally responsible and does not reflect cautious stewardship of taxpayer funds."

Sabatino charged that "portraying this process as irresponsible or incomplete does not reflect how municipal budgeting works."

"It misrepresents it," Sabatino said.

"The reality is that building a municipal budget is an ongoing, step-by-step process. It requires analysis, adjustments, and collaboration as more information becomes available, including audit updates and revenue refinements," Sabatino said.

Sabatino pointed to the current inconsistent and uncertain financial environment and unstable funding:

"Given the current financial climate, including uncertainty in federal and state funding, municipalities are required to make responsible projections based on the most current information available."

Sabatino said, "We remain focused on doing the work, refining the numbers, and delivering a responsible final budget that serves the residents of East Haven.”

Kropiwnicki said the RTC's position is "not partisan."

"It’s about preserving sound financial management and respect for the taxpayer," he said. " We can—and must—do better."

Read the full RTC statement here:

The East Haven Republican Town Committee has serious concerns about the fiscal management and procedural integrity of the ongoing town budget process. Town Republicans serving on the Board of Finance — Beth Purcell and Ralph Vitale — raised critical issues during recent deliberations, noting that, “The revenue side of the budget was $1.7 million short. The state-required audit has not been completed, meaning we are being asked to pass a budget without verified figures from last year.”

Beth and Ralph further explained that they “moved to table the budget vote until the audit was complete but were outvoted 4 to 2. We then voted against the budget — again, on a 4 to 2 vote. This represents bad government and irresponsible actions.”

As Republican Town Committee Chairman, I echo their concerns. A municipal budget must rest on accurate, audited numbers — not assumptions. When elected officials are asked to vote on spending plans without confirmed revenue figures, it undermines public trust and risks long-term fiscal instability.

The East Haven Republican Town Committee is also deeply concerned about a proposed significant tax increase contained in this budget. As it stands, residents are facing at least a 2.5 mill increase on their property taxes. Asking taxpayers to absorb such a substantial hike while the underlying numbers remain unaudited and unverified is neither fair nor fiscally responsible and does not reflect cautious stewardship of taxpayer funds.

From both a governance and accounting standpoint, this situation is unacceptable. A municipal budget must be built on accurate, audited figures, not assumptions and estimates that have not been independently tested. Moving forward with a budget before completion of the state-required audit, and at the same time proposing a 2.5 mill tax increase, undermines public confidence and places an undue burden on families, seniors, and small businesses.

With households and businesses already stretched, East Haven residents deserve to know that every dollar in revenue is real, every expenditure is justified, and that any tax increase is based on solid, verified data. Accountability, transparency, and fiscal discipline must remain the foundation of town governance. The residents of East Haven deserve nothing less than a budget process that meets both ethical and professional standards.

The East Haven Republican Town Committee calls on the administration and the majority members of the Board of Finance to prioritize completing the required audit promptly, address the revenue shortfall responsibly, and ensure that every dollar is accounted for before final adoption of the town budget.

“Our goal is not partisan,” Kropiwnicki added. “It’s about preserving sound financial management and respect for the taxpayer. We can — and must — do better.”