Board of Finance Public Hearing April 5, 2018

Board of Finance Public Hearing April 5, 2018

The Board of Finance has the duty to present a responsible budget to the taxpayers.

The buck stops with the Board of Finance. The Board of Finance has to be the adult in the playground.

As a result of the recent revaluation the lower value homes have their taxes increased and the high end home taxes are greatly reduced. Homes assessed between $200,000 and $400,000 taxes are increased on average over 8% and the homes valued at $700,000 and above have their taxes decreased about 10%. This inequality will continue for five years until the next revaluation.

The car tax will be increased to the mill rate this year.

Since all budgets reflect expenditures and revenues, the Town has to make an adjustment for a $1million short-fall on the expectation of revenues that were not realized in the 2016/17 budget in the 2018/19 budget. The expectation of increased revenues is a pipe dream.

Simsbury competes with the surrounding towns for Economic Development and home sales. The elected officials should be mindful of the unintended consequences of increased taxes, increasing the debt and a high mill rate.

We can no longer depend on the State for revenues. Connecticut will not grow economically in the future and revenues will decrease increasing the taxpayer’s burden.

The Board of Selectmen has produced a spending budget with plans and studies that are not needed. Why subsidize a failed Simsbury Volunteer Ambulance Association when the President is given a $10,000 increase in a six figure salary and the Fire Department refused to give them money? The taxpayers should not subsidize non-profit organizations.

All Capital Expenditures that are paid with cash should be eliminated or placed in the operating budget for compliance with the fiscal policy of the Board of Finance.

The excess money in the General Fund should be used to reduce taxes not increase expenditures.

Is it appropriate to present a Capital expenditure for a Henry James Middle School renovation for $23,903,620 when the Board of Education had an enrollment of 5017 students in 2004-05. There were 4110 students in 2017 a reduction of 907 students. They are reviewing adding a 6th grade to Henry James Middle School. The expenditure for a Capital Improvement to the Henry James Middle School of $23,903,620 should be eliminated until all options are finalized. The cost sharing from the State may not be available. Has the Board of Education produced a cost analysis for the additional overhead expenses for the renovation?

The Board of Finance should be mindful that the burden of the taxes is imposed on the homeowners in Simsbury. There are 38 homes in foreclosure in Simsbury. Are these homeowners looking for a hand-out?

We were told that there would be cost savings by closing one level of Town Hall, Library and Eno Hall on Friday afternoon at 1 PM. What are the cost savings? What are the additional costs for having office hours until 7PM on Mondays?

The Board of Finance has to balance need versus wants.

The taxpayers should not be burdened with long-term debt and additional employees with longevity costs associated with their employment that were added to the budget process.

Budgets should reflect necessities, not frivolous amenities to satisfy the politically connected groups in town.

Budgets must comply with the Board of Finance guidance of a 1.75% increase. The Board of Selectmen must go back to the cutting room and reduce the expenditures in their proposed budget.

Both Boards should be required to review and reduce their expenditure budgets for Capital and CNR projects.

The Board of Finance should not kick the can down the road. Do your job!