Politics & Government
Live Chat on FY14 Budget Public Hearing
New Canaan Patch will host a real-time chat in this article (sign up below) during tonight's widely anticipated public hearing on the budget. We'll have dispatches, photos, color and conversation from the 7:30 p.m. meeting. Watch at home, talk here.
For weeks, town and school officials have told residents what's at stake as New Canaan sets taxpayer spending for next year—tonight, the public weighs in on what has been a contentious process.
Before the budget goes to the Town Council, business owners, residents, parents and other taxpayers have a chance to voice concerns, questions and support for what the Board of Finance has approved for fiscal year 2014 spending.
Of particular concern to many of those expected to attend the 7:30 p.m. meeting at the New Canaan Nature Center (which will air on Channel
Find out what's happening in New Canaanwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
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You can also participate in tonight's live chat
Find out what's happening in New Canaanwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
by Tweeting with a #NCbudget hashtag.
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79 and stream live online) is the Board of Education budget.
While the schools have said that it’d hurt students if the district gets less money than it’s seeking, town officials have pushed back, saying New Canaan must rein in spending or risk overburdening its tax base.
The school board sent a March 4 letter (attached as PDF) to parents calling for public support of its request. Part of it reads: “This year’s BOE Operating Budget is a roll forward budget providing limited program improvements. Due to a number of unique circumstances, the percentage increase is higher this year than in recent years.”
The schools are seeking a 5.7 percent increase to the operating budget; the finance board is recommending a 4.5 percent increase.
Spending on the schools is the major driver in a $6.5 million recommended increase in overall spending next year—to $132 million—5.16 percent more than budgeted spending for the current fiscal year.
The finance board’s recommendations break down as follows—details are available on a PDF, attached:
Department/Area FY13 Spending Proposed FY14 Spending % Change General Government $11.8 million $14.2 million 20.2% Public Safety $9.9 million $10 million 1.5% Public Works $7.3 million $7.3 million -0.2% Recreation $1.7 million $1.7 million -0.9% Health & Human Services $818,158 $844,297 3.2% Human Services Agencies $179,500 $129,000 -28.1% Other Agencies $691,342 $695,560 0.6% Library $1.9 million $1.9 million 0.0% Capital Expenditures-Town $2.1 million $2 million -4.3% Capital Expenditures-Board of Ed $965,785 $1.1 million 14.6% Total Debt Service $13.5 million $14 million 4.1% Operating-Board of Ed $74.5 million $77.9 million 4.5%Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
