Third 2014-15 Budget Proposal Includes 2.4 Percent Spending Increase

First Selectman Steve Vavrek has released a copy of the third 2014-15 budget proposal, set to go to referendum next Tuesday, May 6.

The third revision to the budget reduces the spending request by $271,221 — $136,221 in municipal operations and $135,000 from the Board of Education — which would result in a 1.98 percent increase in the mill rate, from 30.41 to 31.01.

Total spending would increase by 2.4 percent over the 2013-14 budget, a change of $1.9 million year-over-year.

See Vavrek’s letter to the community below and download a copy of the budget above before the May 6 vote.

Letter from First Selectman Vavrek:

On Tuesday April 22 the voters of Monroe went to the polls for the second time to vote on the proposed 2014-2015 annual Town of Monroe budget.  

As this vote got defeated by 28 votes, we must go to a third referendum on Tuesday, May 6.

Once again while listening to the comments from our Superintendent, elected officials on the Board of Education, Town Council, Board of Finance and you the voters, I heard varied responses on what adjustments if any should be made.

One thing I heard loud and clear from every elected official was that this was a solid budget. I do commend these officials for the transparent and very public way their workshops were conducted.

The fact remains: the Town of Monroe is a great town with much to offer our residents. There are many more fixed costs than ever before and there are services that must be maintained now and not kicked down the road thus costing us more in the future. In the past as a town we have as they say “been there, done that” and we are paying for it now. Last night many of our elected officials said that again.

So where do we go from here?  

Many have told me it was a great budget, put it back out and get more people to vote. Others have told me, “Make them pay for not voting” cut services and hours of the library, parks, pool and the Senior Center. Some have told me cut education.

Some have told me cut roads, public safety and building maintenance.

I can assure the residents of Monroe that there was never any “fat” in these budgets but many more mandates and regulated increases. As much as I truly feel that the budget as presented on April 1 was the best budget to keep us current with the plethora of unfunded State and Federal mandates, more people voted no than voted yes and adjustments must be made!

For the Town Departments, I have reduced equipment/supply purchases for our volunteer fire services by $25,384. Although these items are very much needed, it was an addition to the budget. I am urging our community to donate to these volunteer fire fighters various fundraisers throughout the year. Other reductions include $30,000 from Debt, $5,700 from Wage Adjustments and $30,000 from the Contingency Fund.

The total of these reductions reduced the town portion of the budget $91,084.

For the Board of Education, after speaking with the Superintendent, we have reduced the funded allocation by $60,000.

As I have mentioned numerous times, we as a town MUST:

• maintain our services, and in many cases, create better services for our tax dollar  
• fund the growing list of unfunded State and Federal mandates
• balance the needs of all residents regardless of the willingness or ability to pay for these services

• One of the lowest Mill Rate increases in our region (1.98)
• Continued funding for our Roads  
• Continued funding for our Infrastructure Needs (both Town and Education)  
• Continued funding for Public Safety, our Parks, Library and Seniors
• Funds to assure a quality educational experience for our children