Mayor Warns Stamford Residents Tax Increase Could Reach 3 Percent

STAMFORD, CT - Mayor David Martin is warning Stamford residents that despite hopes of keeping any tax increase below 3 percent next year, the state's current fiscal situation might squash that proposal.

“No finite decisions have been made yet, but the back and forth and threats of significant cuts to municipalities is something we are going to have to watch very carefully over the next few weeks,” said Martin in a statement Friday, April 15. He made the pledge to strive for less than a 3 percent increase in early March. “If these proposed cuts occur, there is a real possibility that Stamford will have to reduce services or increase property taxes, neither of which is in the best interest of our community.”

Stamford is in the midst of developing its 2016-17 city budget, so tax rates have not been finalized.

Gov. Dannel Malloy's supplemental 2017 budget would reduce Stamford’s Municipal Revenue Sharing by $2.85 million, according to Martin. He estimates that Malloy's budget also would reduce direct funding to Stamford’s Board of Education, including school accountability and extended school hours funding, by $645,000.

“Reducing Stamford’s state funding by $3 million would create a significant challenge to our budget," said Martin. "The timing of these proposed cuts is critical as the Board of Finance sets the Mill Rate by the end of May and we don’t know if, or when, the legislature will make these cuts.”

Martin said he has been having regular meetings and calls with members of Stamford's state legislative delegation, and has a meeting scheduled for next week with Speaker of the House J. Brendan Sharkey (D-88) to discuss Stamford's situation.

Earlier this year, the Martin said he also met with Senate Appropriations Chair Beth Bye (D-West Hartford), Senate President Martin Looney (D-New Haven), and Malloy, who previously held Martin's position as mayor of Stamford.

Photo: Stamford Mayor David Martin