Tolland Town Manager Outlines Budget Schedule

TOLLAND, CT — Town Manager Steve Werbner on Thursday sent the following budget message to residents of Tolland:

"Throughout this most confusing budget process, we have tried to be as transparent as possible with ever-changing information from the state.

"On Oct. 30, there is a scheduled Town Budget referendum based on state revenue figures from the Governor’s last compromise budget, hoping that these numbers would improve when the state finally passes a state budget.

"We decided to use these figures because we need to adopt a budget in time for tax bills to be sent out in January. If tax bills are not sent out in January, the Town will not have sufficient cash to continue to operate for the rest of the fiscal year.

"Since the Governor released his last compromise budget, the Senate finally, last night and the House this morning, overwhelmingly approved a bipartisan budget that will be sent to the Governor for his approval. According to the legislature, the numbers in that budget may have significant impact on our budget. The Town Council leadership and I feel that it is important that you understand this potential impact prior to casting your vote on Oct. 30.

"The biggest differences between what we’re sending to referendum on the 30th and the budget passed last night are:

• An additional $1.34 million increase to Tolland in ECS funding.
• No contribution to the teacher’s pension, saving us $436,000.

"If the budget referendum were to fail on Oct. 30, the Town Council would meet on November 1st to discuss what to do with these additional funds which could include restoring funds to various programs and/or changing the referendum mill rate.

"Many residents have asked why we just don’t postpone the referendum. The problem is that the state requires us to give 30 days’ notice of the new referendum date after the budget is set, and that would not allow us enough time to print and send out tax bills in advance of the Jan. 1 due date.

"If you have any questions regarding the budget process, please E-mail me at swerbner@tolland.org."

Patch File Photo