Tax Increase Proposed In Wallingford Budget

WALLINGFORD, CT — Wallingford Mayor William W. Dickinson Jr. has proposed a budget for 2020-21 that would increase property taxes by 1.06 percent, according to the Meriden Record-Journal.

The Record-Journal reports the budget would increase the mill rate by .31 mills to 29.5 mills and represent an increase of $57 in taxes for the average residential property owner.

In the proposed budget, the Board of Education is slated to receive a 2.34 percent increase over its current spending. Dickinson’s proposal is around $1.27 million less than the school board had requested.

“There are several factors at play in the Mayor’s proposal that still have to be finalized due to recent Executive Orders by Governor Lamont,” Superintendent of Schools Salvatore Menzo said in a message to parents. “In the event that no changes are made to his proposal, the Board of Education would have to look to reduce $777,683 from the sustained services request. This would also mean that the Strategic Plan items approved by the Board of Education would be deferred.”

The town budget hearing that had been scheduled for Thursday, April 9, has been postponed. The new date hasn’t been determined due to the restrictions for public gatherings because of the new coronavirus.

The Town Council usually votes to adopt the town budget in May, but Gov. Ned Lamont has issued a 30-day extension for municipalities to adopt their budgets.

Read more about Dickinson’s proposed budget at the Meriden Record-Journal here.