Norwalk approves $153.8M capital budget
Concerns raised about financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
NORWALK — The Common Council voted to approve a $153.8 million capital budget, despite concerns about the about potential financial ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The council voted 13-1 to approve the capital budget for the 2020-21 fiscal year that includes $100 million in school building projects.
Council member Barbara Smyth recused herself from the vote as the capital budget includes $50.28 million for a new building at Norwalk High School, where she is a teacher.
Council member Tom Keegan was the sole dissenting vote of the budget. Keegan pointed out neighboring municipalities are cutting their budgets given the financial impact many residents may be feeling from losing their jobs or income due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“These are very, very different times, nothing that any of us are prepared for,” Keegan said. “Everyone else is making cuts. We have people out of work, people who may not be able to pay taxes . ... I think we are being a bit aloof and we’re walking about with not a care in the world and I don’t know why we think we’re different, because I don’t think we are.”
Council members Tom
Livingston and David Heuvelman also expressed concerns about the budget and the need for future adjustments, pending financial shifts due to the pandemic.
Mayor Harry Rilling pointed out the capital budget gives the city bond authorization for these amounts, an option they don’t need to take.
He also said some of the projects will boost the economy.
“It’s not an authorization to spend,” Rilling said. “Nobody knows more than I do about the need to be frugal and making thorough decisions. If we don’t move some of these forward, they can’t move forward at all.”
Norwalk Chief Financial Officer Henry Dachowitz also reassured the council, saying Norwalk was in better shape than surrounding municipalities given that most of the city’s revenue comes from property taxes.
“I inherited a very financially strong city,” Dachowitz said. “We had a discipline when it comes to what we invest in and making sure we get a good return on investment. That’s why we’ve weathered this storm better than neighbors.”