New London — The City Council is hoping for an 11th-hour boost in state revenue to the city and as a result has decided not to take immediate action on a budget petition.

The council on Monday voted to send proposed budget repeal ordinances to its Finance Committee, where it is unlikely to see any action until the state finalizes a budget.

City Councilor Erica Richardson, chairwoman of the council’s Finance Committee, said it would be foolhardy to arbitrarily lower the budget without first finding out if any reduction is needed.

The state legislature could vote sometime later this month on a state budget. It could include more revenues to the city. It could even mean that the more than 9 percent tax hike that accompanies the city’s combined $90.05 million spending plan is erased.

“Until we have a firm number from the state, there is really nothing to go back and do,” Richardson said. “Everything we thought we could do has been done. Why would you cut someone’s job when you may not have to?”

Richardson said the drop in state revenues and the city’s contractual obligations made it a struggle for the council to preserve jobs and services.

But the tax increase led to an outcry and a certified petition last month that called for the council to either reduce the government and education budgets or take it all to a citywide vote.

Dan McSparran, who helped spearhead the petition drive, said he listened to councilors at their meeting on Monday and heard them talk about “hoping and praying,” and said their inaction was a disservice to people who signed the petition.

“To base the financial future of any municipality on hopes and prayers of getting more money from the state is foolishness,” McSparran said. "Where do they think the state is magically going to come up with more money?”

Richardson and Councilor Don Venditto said they both support a citywide vote and the opportunity for more voices to be heard. More than 600 people signed each of the petitions.

“I appreciate the effort of the people that put in the work to gather all of the signatures — in my opinion, this is the epitome of the democratic process — government of the people, by the people and for the people,” Venditto said.

“With that said, I also believe that it is important for all of the registered voters to have their voices heard, in this case meaning the other 14,000-ish registered voters in the city,” Venditto said.

Venditto said he thought it was important to go to a citywide vote prior to any council action but after real state revenues figures are factored into the budget.

“Once we have an understanding of the impact of the final state funding, then we can address the referendum,” he said. “Hopefully, we’ll have an answer within the next two weeks.”

Venditto said despite the state struggles, there are some encouraging signs that New London actually could stand to gain additional revenue.

Richardson said the time before a possible referendum also might encourage people to take a closer look at the city’s spending plan and gain a better understanding of why multimillion-dollar cuts would only serve to cripple the city and severely hurt the school district.

Meanwhile, the city has sent out tax bills based on a 44.26 mill tax rate, up from the previous rate of 40.46 mills. City officials have said that if the budget is reduced, the January tax bill will be reduced to compensate. Some have argued the move goes against the city's charter.

g.smith@theday.com