State funding reform is big for Danbury
I love the sense of community we have in Connecticut. The allin-this-together feeling runs through every place from the identity of our rural towns to the neighborhood pride in our cities. I see the compassion we have for one another every day as a state senator, especially in these trying COVID times. Now, more than ever, we need to help one another.
A recent change in state policy tries to bring some of that Connecticut togetherness to how we support our towns and cities financially by reforming the state’s PILOT grant program. PILOT funds are meant to reimburse communities for the untaxable land they have including state property, colleges, and hospitals. The entire region uses places such as Danbury Hospital and Western Connecticut State University but only Danbury property taxpayers have to make up for the loss in taxes that these places do not pay. Understanding that we are all in this together urban centers, wealthy suburbs, cash-strapped small towns, and rural communities came together to agree to a new, more fair way to provide PILOT funding.
The reforms begin with a commitment that no town will get less state funding under the changes and remain at 30 percent reimbursement. From there we created another two tiers of 40 percent and 50 percent reimbursement to increase funding for the cities and towns most in need. Municipalities with grand lists that are not robust generally find themselves in higher tiers, as do towns and cities designated as Alliance District such as Danbury. The new formula focuses on increasing PILOT funding for communities with low property tax income and that need to invest more in local education. In recognizing these needs, communities will hopefully allocate resources accordingly.
If all of that was much too complicated, let me cut to the chase: Danbury would see an increase of almost $2.5 million under the new PILOT formula. That’s $2.5 million that can be invested into city resources, including our schools. It’s vitally important funding that can transform our community for the better.
While the state finalizes the budget and this increase in funding for Danbury in early June, the city will be going through its own budget process. This extra PILOT funding is an opportunity for the
Danbury would see an increase of almost $2.5 million under the new PILOT formula. That’s $2.5 million that can be invested into city resources, including our schools. It’s vitally important funding that can transform our community for the better.
city to invest in education on top of the increased funding our students already need. While state education funding for Danbury has increased by millions of dollars year over year, our city remains 169 out of 169 in per pupil spending. It is imperative we take the initiative locally to change our public education for the better. I hope city officials will make an investment in education, that will not just help our schools but the students learning and growing inside them, and our community upon their graduation.
The work is not done yet as the General Assembly still needs to pass a budget with Gov. Ned Lamont by the beginning of June to fully fund the new formula. But I remain steadfast in keeping this promise and delivering this funding for Danbury. The next question will be how our great city wants to spend the money.