Politics & Government

Jackson Pitches Budget with 1.44 Mill Increase

The town needs to think long-term is in planning to become financially stable, the mayor told the Legislative Council.

Mayor Scott Jackson wants to change the town's mindset in thinking only a year out each budget season.

On Monday he presented his "Roadmap to Sustainability and Prosperity" to the Legislative Council, which contained his proposed 2013-14 budget that would raise the mill rate by 1.44 mills.

The budget raises taxes by $6.2 million and overall expenditures by $7.2 million. The additional million dollars comes from state funding, Jackson said.

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Of the $7.2 million increase, $3.5 million goes to retirement benefits, $1.8 million to the town's medical fund, $800,000 to the Board of Education and $302,000 to debt service, Jackson said.

The increase translates to a $215.65 increase for the average homeowner, Jackson said, and an increase of $8.41 in car taxes.

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The proposed budget includes $12.5 million to go into the pension fund, the amont recommended by the town's actuaries and the highest contribution in years, Jackson said.

The Board of Education had requested a $1.9 million increase but Jackson cut that to $800,000, an amount that will inevitably lead to lay offs, Supt. of Schools Fran Rabinowitz said.

The board is facing $2.2 million in increases in contractual obligations, she said, and the board's figures include the assumption of $700,000 in savings through an early retirement incentive.

"I don't see any other option than a reduction in staff — $1.1 million is an awful lot of money to have to make up," Rabinowitz said.

Beyond the next fiscal year, the town needs to think in terms of long-term sustainability, Jackson said, and outlines six areas that must be addressed: education, infrastructure, retirement benefits, health benefits, regionalization and volunteer efforts.

"Historically, we have focused on the next 12 months. I propose to you today a new covenant: that we focus on the next 12 years," Jackson told the council. 


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