Gerber Recommends $370.1M Budget For Fairfield; Mill Rate Up Slightly

FAIRFIELD, CT — First Selectman Bill Gerber is recommending Fairfield spend $370.1 million to operate the town and school system in 2024-25, which he says represents an increase to the mill rate of 1.81 percent.

Gerber released his proposed budget, his first since being elected in November, on Thursday, and said it "highlights critical expenditures for public safety, education, conservation, and libraries."

Additionally, he said the expenditure also "allocates wage increases for teachers and first responders that have lagged inflation for several years, as well as long-overdue investments in the Fire Department."

Click here to view Gerber's proposed 2024-25 budget for Fairfield.

"Given the magnitude of the projects needing funding and effectively operating a Town of our size, my administration is very pleased with our ability to keep the tax increase moderate while still providing exceptional service levels," Gerber said in a statement. "We are proud topresent a budget that prioritizes the safety, education, and well-being of all our residents."

The proposed budget reflects an increase of $13.3 million over the current allocation, or an increase of 3.74 percent. The total tax levy of $337.7 million represents a net increase of 2.19 percent, "well below the cost of inflation and offset by a modest increase in the Town’s Grand List of 0.37 percent."

Gerber said that the proposal is also in line with his administration’s "commitment to environmental sustainability," so it includes expenditures for conservation staffing. Also, he hope that with restoring the teen librarian position, it will help the town "address the increasing need for young adult services."

"As the 11th largest municipality in the state, a significant portion of the budget increase is allocated to salaries and wages," Gerber said. "Wages accounted for $10.9 million, or 82 percent of the increase in combined Town and Board of Education operating expenses. The majority of this increase is unavoidable due to collective bargaining agreements, with a portion related to personnel adjustments in the Board of Education, the Police and Fire Departments. Additionally, there was a $3.5 million increase in Town and Board of Education operating expenses and a decrease of $1.1 million in shared expenses between the Board of Education and Town, such as debt service and workers compensation costs."

Among the other major drivers for the increase were Pension and Other Post-Employment Benefits contributions, essential for funding the Town’s long-term liabilities.

Click here to view Gerber's proposed 2024-25 budget for Fairfield.