Proposed budget calls for 4.33% tax increase

WETHERSFIELD — Town Manager Gary Evans is proposing a $113.9 million spending plan that would increase spending by about $3.5 million or 3.12%, and taxes by 4.33% — a number Mayor Michael Rell said was unlikely to pass.

“I will admit, I had a bit of sticker shock at his recommendations and I am certain the budget adopted by the council will not reflect the proposed increases set forth in his budget,” Rell said. “This council is no stranger to delving deep into a budget to find savings, as we did last year. That is our goal for this year and we look forward to a robust conversation on how to achieve this.”

Evans’ proposal includes $58.4 million for education, representing a $1.53 million, or 2.7% increase, and $53.6 million for town services, representing a $1.81 million, or 3.5% increase.

Evans also proposed a $100,000 increase to $1.8 million or road improvements.

In a memo to the town council, Evans said the proposed budget is “management’s effort to weigh quality of life amenities with opportunities to advance the community while meeting escalating expenses. This year’s budget seeks to return programming to pre- COVID levels and reflects the costs associated with doing so.”

Evans said there would be a $502,000, or 28% increase and a $528,000, or 29% increase, in pension contributions under his proposal.

Evans said drivers of the proposal included: refuse collection, a small increase in contractual salaries and health related expenses, capital projects, and the impact of a necessary increased allocation into the pension plan.

“As a reminder, with the exception of police officers, all new hires since 2012 are no longer eligible for the town’s pension plan,” Evans said, adding that the town is still waiting on guidance related to use of the federal funds received as a result of COVID, “which means those funds are not currently being considered as revenue for this year’s budget.”

If approved by the town council, Evans said the tax increase for the owner of the average valued home will be approximately $344.67 while the increase for vehicles will be approximately $63.66 per year. The average household has two vehicles.

Rell said Tuesday that Evans had provided copies of his proposed budget to council on Monday and will present it to members and the public on April 19.