New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
’Tis the municipal budgetary season
Amid the beautiful springtime blooms, it’s that time of year when our local officials decide our fiscal year budgets. Or do we know this as voters and taxpayers?
It’s easy for many of us to overlook something so provincial, but budgetary season matters because it affects our property taxes, services and resources. I have to regularly convince students, colleagues and friends that municipal governments often have the most impact for so many constituencies.
Of course, I’ll get the usual backlash reminders that our federal government gets more political clout and media attention. But I reinforce the fact that public safety, schools, parks and libraries — among so many other services — are what we interact with more than what our White House and United States Congress attempts to address in policy-making. Besides, have you ever tried contacting our president or congressional lawmakers? Odds are that you’ll directly hear from your mayor, first selectman, alder or councilperson.
Why?
Because municipal officials know residents can be critics and advocates at countless meetings and local elections. These specific constituents tend to read local newspapers the most and know their public officials. In fact, political scientists like Robert Putnam recognize that these “newshounds” and “gadflies” are the most engaged constituents. Since turnout in Connecticut local elections range from 10 to 60 percent, these voters matter.
Considering the importance of home rule or local authority in our municipalities (as we lack county governments), engaged citizens can make an impact beyond the voting booth. In a number of Connecticut municipalities, there are representative town meetings (RTMs like in Fairfield, Greenwich, Westport) and they make budgetary decisions, as well.
So, getting to know your specific municipality and their budgetary process matters the most now before your officials make final decisions next month. Certainly, following local media accounts, social media and connecting with public officials helps. But one should also attend public meetings and committee hearings especially since many municipalities are holding these sessions online or featuring a hybrid of in-person and virtual meetings.
Aside from the representative formalities, local budgetary processes can be interesting to observe. Shoreline cities, like Bridgeport and New Haven, tend to get the most local media attention. Bridgeport has been mired in budgetary issues since their council and mayor are still debating new employee hires and public school budgets. Meanwhile New Haven’s mayor and board of alders have been confronting mill rate or property tax rate changes and revaluations.
Of course, Connecticut has 169 municipalities and one cannot overlook suburbs and smaller municipalities. One of the most featured localities facing budgetary scrutiny is West Haven since federal investigators and audits found officials misusing COVID relief funds. The state’s Municipal Accountability Review Board voted recently to increase its oversight of West Haven’s budget. Even Gov. Ned Lamont has publicly wade into MARB’s authority. No surprise then, West Haven local meetings have awakened residents’ interest in municipal budgetary and governance affairs.
Nearby Hamden has also garnered residents’ and local media attention. Similar to some Connecticut towns, Hamden has been debating increasing their mill rate because of budgetary shortfalls. Their mayor and town council have been holding meetings and hearing concerns from various constituencies.
No matter the municipality, participation by local residents can make an impact. Paying attention to financial issues is only a beginning point, particularly this time of year. Next year will ultimately test budgetary matters with lessened state aid to municipalities and little (if any) federal government COVID funds. Most importantly, elections take place then for many municipal offices. Public officials are especially responsive during election season as electoral results serve as an indicator of their job performance by the most engaged citizens.