Monroe Voters to Decide on 2.73 Percent Spending Increase

Monroe residents and property owners will be heading to the polls next week for the first vote on the 2014-15 budget, which includes just over $2 million in increased spending and a 2.4 percent rise in the mill rate.

The $82.2 million proposal is a 2.73 percent increase over the approved 2013-14 budget, with an increase of $1,017,576 on the town side (5.1 percent) and $958,068 to the education budget (1.84 percent).

In a letter to residents accompanying the budget proposal [download above], First Selectman Stephen Vavrek stated that “ongoing road repairs and ongoing building renovations” represent the major cost drivers behind the increase.

Vavrek also noted that the budget anticipates $32,402 less in local and state revenues for municipal operations and maintains state education cost-sharing amounts flat year-over-year.

Under the current proposal, the mill rate would increase from 30.41 to 31.14, raising the tax bill on a median value home ($333,200) by $170, from $7,093 to $7,263.

“This budget keeps us on the right track of fixing what needs to be fixed and addresses many issues that we have all ignored over the years,” Vavrek wrote. “After numerous internal staff meetings, public hearings, Board of Education, Town Council and Board of Finance meetings and votes, we have compromised additional services and equipment to bring this budget to the level that hopefully finds support for you, the voters of Monroe.”

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 1. Contact the Monroe Registrars of Voters with questions about polling places and the voting process.