Simmons Applauds Passage Of Fiscal Year 2024 Budget

STAMFORD, CT — The Stamford Board of Representatives this week approved the city and school operating budgets for fiscal year 2024.

Stamford has a $646.9 million operating expense budget, a 2.5 percent increase over the current year's spending plan. The schools operating expense budget is $313.6 million, the Stamford Advocate reported.

The Advocate also noted that instead of making cuts from the city and school expense budget, the Board of Reps. and Mayor Caroline Simmons agreed on a $5 million reduction from a reserve fund meant for school facility projects.

Simmons applauded the final passage of the city budget.

"This approval demonstrates another important step in our ongoing commitment to making government work for the people of Stamford. I am grateful to the residents, business and civic leaders, and advocates that weighed in during this process and am thankful for the Boards of Finance and Representatives for listening to that input, working with our administration, and then approving their respective budgets," Simmons said in a news release.

"Budgets reflect priorities, and this budget advances our work by fulfilling our promise to strengthen critical infrastructure including steps to improve pedestrian safety, strengthen our investing in our schools – from overdue upgrades to facilities to providing resources and support for the health and wellness of our students, to enhancing the quality of life for our residents through support for our parks and crucial sustainability initiatives," Simmons added. "Throughout this process, I am proud that we kept our focus on maintaining fiscal discipline and made Stamford more affordable for residents, local businesses, and visitors who work and enjoy our city."

Simmons highlighted several key priorities funded in the budget:

• Mitigating the Tax Impact: Extended the revaluation process for two years which will help mitigate the tax impact for residents as a result of the state-required revaluation.
• Strengthening Critical Infrastructure & Pedestrian Safety: Authorized funding for essential services for residents, with a focus on public safety, health, and welfare, and infrastructure, including road and sidewalk paving and pedestrian safety projects.
• Investing in Public Schools: Increased bonding authorization for school facility projects by about $28M and included $15M in reserve for schools; funding authorized for Stamford High, Julia Stark Elementary, Springdale Elementary, Davenport Ridge Elementary, Northeast Elementary, Newfield Elementary, and Rippowam Middle School.
• Expanding Mental Health Support: Authorized funding for two school nurses at Strawberry Hill School and Rogers International to add more mental health resources available on school campuses to provide support to Stamford students.

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