Tesei Seeks $388.4M Operating Budget For Greenwich In 2019-20

GREENWICH, CT — With an eye to maintaining Greenwich's "prosperous character," First Selectman Peter Tesei Thursday presented an operating budget request of $388,460,977 for the 2019-20 Fiscal Year to the Board of Estimate and Taxation's Budget Committee.

The request represents an increase of just over $13.4 million, or 3.57 percent, over the current operating budget allocation of $375,053,925. Tesei's full budget request can be viewed by clicking here.

Whether local taxes will rise next year, or how much they could rise, will be determined in the spring.

For the town's Capital Improvements budget, Tesei is seeking $53,847,000, up $3 million, or 5.9 percent over this year's allocation of $50,847,000. The plan includes $2 million for soil remediation at Greenwich High School, and improvements to Dorothy Hamill Skating Rink and Roger Sherman Baldwin Park.

With operating and capital expenditures added together, Tesei is seeking a total budget of $442,307,977 for 2019-20, which represents an increase of 3.85 percent.

"Following the tradition of the past 12 years of my administration, this budget represents a continuation of Greenwich’s recognized sound financial and budgeting practices while managing the financial unpredictability caused by the budgeting and tax policies on both the Federal and State levels," Tesei wrote in a letter to the Budget Committee. "In particular, this budget reinforces my commitment to maintain the prosperous character of the Town of Greenwich and to grow its international reputation as the premier place to live, work and raise a family, and a place where residents hold in high regard the services they receive. Those include Life Safety, Education, Public Facilities and Recreation."

The request includes $163,364,192 for Education, just over $3.1 million, or an increase of 1.95 percent above this year's allocation of $160,233,833.

For the most part, proposed increases for individual departments for next year are as a result of contractual increases for town personnel.

"This recommended budget reflects an intensive and comprehensive review of the Town’s economic vitality, residents’ desires and needs while striking a balance to address the financial concerns of the Board of Estimate and Taxation, the Representative Town Meeting and its Budget Overview Committee, and our residents," Tesei wrote. "With a full-time equivalent headcount that will remain flat under this budget plan, I believe the Town is providing municipal services in a cost effective manner."

Click here to review Greenwich First Selectman Peter Tesei's complete 2019-20 budget request.

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