Residents approve 2017-18 budget

Package calls for 2.7 percent increase

BARKHAMSTED >> Residents recently approved the proposed budget for fiscal year 2017-18, a package that totals $12.3 million

The budget includes $2.1 million for the municipal budget, $5.38 million for the town’s share of the Region 7 budget, $4.21 million for elementary schools, and $66,980 for Regional Recycling District 1.

The spending package represents an increase of 2.72 percent, or $325,790, according to budget documents.

First Selectman Don Stein said that the proposed budget was set with assumptions made in a proposal by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, beyond the possibility that

towns and cities will be required to fund one-third of the cost of teacher retirement— a measure that local elected officials have described as unlikely in recent months.

This includes the town paying in full for its resident state trooper. Stein told the Northwest Hills Council of Governments that this potential shift is still being considered at the state level.

Municipalities now pay 85 percent of the cost of resident state troopers, with the remaining portion being picked up by the state.

Stein said recently that he has no plans to levy a supplemental tax, unless he is required to do so.

“If something changes radically, we would send out a supplemental bill, but we’re hoping to avoid that,” said Stein. “We’re hoping by using the governor’s budget, which is the worst-case scenario that’s out there right now, that we’ll be OK.”

The school budget proposal decreased by 0.8 percent over the current year, according to a presentation on the Barkhamsted school website, largely because of a 2.7 percent decrease in money to be spent on special education.

This, according to the presentation, was driven by an out-placed student leaving the district.

Barkhamsted’s tax rate, according to town staff, will be 29.36 mills, an increase of 1 mill.