I am responding to the letter, “New London not following City Charter,” (July 5), offering an interpretation of the charter alleging that issuing tax bills based on the FY18 mill rate adopted by the City Council on May 31 violates the charter. It does not.

The writer either ignores or is unaware of some important facts. City tax bills are printed and mailed by a subcontractor. The Finance Department must provide the information to generate those bills at least two weeks prior to July 1st to ensure delivery by that date to taxpayers. That process occurred before the petition challenging the council’s adopted budget was filed and certified. This same process was followed in all previous years with a referendum petition, except for 2014.

It is important to note that only half of the real property tax bill is due by Aug. 1. The second half, due Jan. 1, will be adjusted, if necessary, based on any changes to the adopted budget. Also, the personal property tax on autos is not affected since that is set at the state’s FY17 rate of 37 mills. Once a state budget is adopted, the city's anticipated state revenues (33 percent of the budget) will be known and the council will be able to consider adjusting the budget ordinances and mill rate.

Michael Passero

Mayor, City of New London

New London