Millions In Cuts Approved For Fairfield Budget Amid Coronavirus

FAIRFIELD, CT — Fairfield’s Board of Finance made millions in cuts Monday to a town budget written in a pre-coronavirus world.

The board was presented with a $327.38 million budget and accompanying 2.46 percent tax increase that was approved by selectmen in early March. By the end of Monday’s four-hour meeting, the estimated tax increase had dropped to about 0.4 percent. The board's actions saw the budget decrease by $9.09 million, to $318.29 million, a $1.89 million year-over-year increase, according to information provided Tuesday by Budget Director Linda Gardiner.

“This was horrible,” said board member John Mitola, a Democrat. “It was hard to do.”

The budget season occurred during the spread of the new coronavirus, which has killed more than 3,000 people across Connecticut since March and resulted in the widespread closure of schools and businesses. It has also made for an unusual budget process, with public comment possible only through email, and budget meetings, including Monday’s, held via teleconference.

“This was definitely not a normal budget season,” said Vice Chair Christopher DeWitt, a Republican.

While the board’s vote Monday to approve the budget as amended was unanimous, many motions that passed throughout the evening fell along party lines, with the board's three Democrats voting in the minority.

Among the approved cuts were millions in revenue adjustments recommended by department heads. The board was presented with $2.68 million in cuts, but approved $2.31 million, opting to maintain revenue for the building department and fire marshal fees as originally presented.

The board also cut $2.29 million from the Board of Education budget as a result of $325,000 in pension savings, a $468,000 bus contract reduction and $1.5 million to be allocated as part of a non-lapsing account.

The non-lapsing account is also expected to include $1.8 million intended for costs associated with the virus outbreak such as computers and protective equipment. DeWitt said he did not want to see the school board use funds outside the account to pay for virus expenses.

Public works was among the town departments to see significant cuts, including a $334,000 capital reduction, a $300,000 fleet maintenance cut and $1 million in paving that was eliminated, but that the board discussed funding through a bond resolution.

“We need to tighten our belts and empathize with the general public right now,” board member Edward Bateson, a Republican, said.

Fairfield’s main and branch libraries received a combined $300,000 in cuts, while the Pequot Library evaded a proposed $50,000 reduction. The fire and police departments saw more than $260,000 combined in capital cuts.

Several jobs were eliminated as well, among them a new business development director position that came with a $130,000 salary and a $35,000 grant writer job.

“It’s just not a year to be adding positions into town hall,” board member James Walsh, a Republican, said.

Payroll was also reduced in the fire and building departments. The position of director of the Bigelow Center was cut from $66,000 to $32,000.

Now that the Board of Finance has made its adjustments, the budget will go the Representative Town Meeting for a final vote June 1. The town meeting is authorized only to lower budget appropriations. Once the budget is approved, the Board of Finance will set the mill rate for the town.