Budget hearing set for Thursday

SEYMOUR — Ahead of next month’s budget referendum, residents this week can get a final look at the proposed $57.4 million town and school budget for 201920.

The annual town budget meeting has been set for 6 p.m. Thursday at Seymour Middle School, 211 Mountain Road.

The meeting will be adjourned to the May 9 budget referendum, where voting will take place from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Seymour Community Center, 20 Pine St.

The proposed budget represents $34.2 million for the Board of Education and $23.2 million for the town side of expenses. Voters will vote on both portions.

First Selectman Kurt Miller is hopeful voters like what they see at the polls, especially since the proposal holds the line on taxes for a fourth consecutive year, keeping the current tax rate of 36 mills.

“I think the budget proposal is fiscally responsible and continues to move the town forward,” said Miller. “I believe this no-frills budget includes crucial investments while staying within the means of a level budget and I hope it wins

... support.”

While the proposed budget carries an overall increase of 2.1 percent over current spending, Miller said some $8 million in

grand list growth made it possible to avoid a tax increase.

Miller had said Seymour is arguably “in the best financial position it’s ever been in,” with a tax collection rate of 98.6 percent, helping to further improve the town’s fiscal outlook.

Miller also touted the town’s long- and shortterm strategic planning, along with taking advantage of “optimum” financial opportunities. He said sharing services with the Board of Education, including an IT person and the facilities director, as well as teaming up with nearby Woodbridge for animal control services, has led to significant budget savings.

The proposed increase can be attributed mainly to

contractual obligations for town employees and a 17.4 percent spike in health insurance costs. Board of Finance Chairman Bill Sawicki said the health insurance increase is not a final number and the town’s brokers are working to bring down that cost.

Some of the new items proposed in the budget include funding for a third school resource officer; a Human Resources director,

whose services will be shared by both the town and the Board of Education; a contracted economic development professional through the Connecticut Economic Resource Center; and additional administrative support.

More information about the proposed budget can be found online at the town’s website.