Hamden Mayor Signs Council-Approved Budget With ‘Mixed Emotions’

HAMDEN, CT — Hamden Mayor Curt Balzano Leng announced Friday that he has decided against vetoing the Legislative Council’s approved budget and will sign it with “mixed emotions of reluctance.” Read Leng’s full statement on the Fiscal Year 2018-19 budget below:

“Since the completion of the Legislative Council budget process and approval, I have carefully reviewed the implications of the changes the Legislative Council made to my original submitted budget and the increased tax mill rate that was approved. As Mayor, it is my responsibility to either sign or veto the budget, with the best interest of our Town in mind.

“This year’s budget process was among the most challenging in decades. The combination of severe State funding reductions of over $6.5 million, a requisite pension contribution increase of $6 million over the previous year and funding needs for costs associated with education, public safety, and the maintenance of existing services could have resulted in 5-6 mill increase. This was unacceptable to me. Alternative budget reductions and solutions, attrition cost controls, and union concessions cost savings allowed me to recommend a budget with a 2.12 mill increase; one I hoped would be reduced further, or at minimum maintained, by working together with our state and local officials through the budget process.

“The Legislative Council worked hard on the budget, spent many hours in deliberation and their approved budget document enacted changes that made for a stronger overall budget. I thank each member for their efforts and their contribution of ideas.

“That said, I have several reservations with the Council’s approved budget. In my opinion, the Council-approved budget increased taxes on our residents more than I felt was necessary, increasing the mill rate by 2.7 mills. Additional compromise would have resulted in a lower tax increase, while maintaining a structurally sound budget. In addition to the strong difference of opinion on the need for the additional taxes, other areas of concern included:

“I am concerned that the Police Department reductions could hamper some progress we’ve made to our public safety. The Police Chief and I will work diligently to minimize the impact and maximize continued enhancement of our community policing efforts.

“The Emergency & Contingency Account was funded at just $500,000, the lowest amount in many years. We need to acknowledge that these funds will almost certainly be exhausted by traditional expenses, which would not leave additional dollars for unanticipated expenses, such as storms. We will need to be prepared to cover these types of expenses through alternative means as the year goes on.

“However, local government has to be the level of government that our residents can count on to get things done. We can’t allow ourselves to fall into the traps of bickering and inaction that has plagued the federal and even state governments in recent times. Hamden residents must feel confident that their Town is “there for them” and that their services will be strong and effective.

“To this end, I will be signing the Council approved FY19 budget today, with the mixed emotions of reluctance, but also a renewed hope that we can learn to master the art of compromise and produce future results which are in the very best interest of our taxpayers.

“My Administration will work hard throughout the upcoming year to end the FY19 budget with a surplus. These efforts will hopefully allow us to minimize any tax increases in the upcoming FY20 budget, hold the line on taxes, or hopefully even reduce our mill rate slightly to provide relief for our residents. Working together with the Legislative Council and our residents, I know that we can make this happen while making our Town finance and services stronger and more efficient for the future.”