Board of Fiance Meeting March 19, 2024 Public Audience

Board of Finance Meeting March 19, 2024 – Public Audience

The Board of Finance is elected to be the gatekeeper for excessive spending.

We cannot ignore that the economy is showing stress with inflation continuing, leading to a reduction on discretionary spending.

Commercial property has been devalued, an indication of a fragile economy.

Companies are downsizing.

Fixed costs can be reduced with a reduction of services that do not meet the core needs of the community.

Revenues and expenditures fluctuate with the economy and should be reflected in the budget.

All expenditures should be guided by a cost benefit analysis, reflecting needed services to the community.

We can no longer increase expenditures under the same lense.

Nor should we use the General Fund as a slush fund.

Creative ways to use tax money effectively and efficiently should be a prime goal.

There should be shared services and a public-private initiative to reduce costs.

All Capital Expenditures should have a set-aside for future costs that should be acknowledged during the budget process.

The $900,000 Grant for the Simsbury Performing Arts is just the beginning of increased expenditures needed to sustain the project

Simsbury Meadows is on a floodplain, adjacent to the river, an area most likely to flood.

The projection of over 100 apartments adjacent to the Simsbury Meadows will place an increased risk on the land.

Permanent bathrooms require a pumping station that has to be maintained.

Over the years the grass has been paved over leaving less land for absorption, leading to flooding.

Iron Horse Boulevard, permanent structures, and a paved parking lot, all adding to less water absorption.

This project is not economically feasible and will increase flooding in the area.

Large entertainment venues is not one of the core services that should be managed by the Town.

This project will continue to be a drain on the future budgets and should be eliminated.

The $50,000 not included in the budget for the drainage at Simsbury Farms parking area is foolhardy since this area freezes over in the winter and places people at risk using the area. This is a public safety issue and should be included in the budget.

The taxpayers of Simsbury should not be supporting a failed business plan with Simsbury Volunteer Ambulance Services.

Avon just renewed their contract with AMR Ambulance Service at no cost to the taxpayers with good results.

The budgets, as presented need more fine tuning to reduce expenditures.

Increasing budgets affect the residents, businesses, and property values.

The Board of Finance should be bold in their demands for accountability and consider that budgets have consequences.

Increasing the budget in an uncertain economy is just “kicking the can down the road,”

The approved budgets should not place an undue burden on the taxpayers.