Groton's best budget scenario is 'outrageous,' councilor says
Groton — Town councilors on Tuesday hinted at how they potentially would deal with a devastating loss in state aid: Ask the school superintendent to cut a couple of million dollars, eliminate spending that isn't legally required and start combining town and city services.
Town Manager Mark Oefinger proposed a $125.1 million budget last week that assumes the town would lose $5 million in state revenue in the coming fiscal year. The proposal would require a 15.4 percent hike in the tax rate, or $334 of additional property taxes owed for every $100,000 of assessed value.
Oefinger looked at four scenarios for the Groton budget, assuming varying amounts of state aid. Even the best case budget scenario would require a 9.1 percent tax rate hike. The worst case assumes the town would lose $13.3 million in state support, resulting in a 25.6 percent tax rate increase.
"The best case scenario, in my opinion, is a terrible one. It's outrageous," Councilor Bonnie Nault said.
"I think there are more people who may be forced right out of their homes if there is a big tax increase," said Councilor Karen Morton. "I'm looking to cut anything we're not mandated to provide, and I'll be very upfront about that."
Councilor Diane Barber said the town might ask the school superintendent to cut a couple million. "I don't think the town should be taking — being crippled by this scenario," she said. "I think that we are all in this together, and he's got to sharpen his pencil and help us out."
The town and city also ought to accomplish something with regard to combining services, she said. The saying that comes to mind ends with the phrase "or get off the pot," she said.
Nault said she found it "absolutely outrageous" that the school department asked for a budget increase next year, knowing Groton faced the potential loss of millions. Education spending would increase 1.7 percent under the proposed budget.
State Sen. Heather Somers said Tuesday that the governor's budget proposal, which would result in the worst-case budget scenario, is unacceptable to both political parties in Hartford. "That is something you will absolutely see changed," she said.
But the outcome of the change may remain unknown until after the town's budget deadline in May. Even if the local deadline were extended, it wouldn't help because the town needs to send out tax bills to have money to run the government, Oefinger said.
Mayor Bruce Flax said he was worried that the town would take a hatchet to the budget this year, end up in the same situation next year and ultimately have no town services but public safety and roads.
Town councilors decided to discuss, during a special meeting scheduled for Thursday, which scenario they would use to plan the next fiscal year's spending.
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