Politics & Government

Bethany Budget in Bullet Points

Here's where the town is in the tedious process of balancing the budget in a brutal economy

The Bethany Board of Finance has been holding weekly meetings to assemble the budget for the next fiscal year; here are the highlights of their  meetings-to-date, all in a quick and easy to understand format.  

State Funding

  • The state has cut Pilot funding (Payment In Lieu of Taxes) for manufacturing. Last year Bethany was supposed to receive $85,500 in PILOT funds, however, only got $55,000. This coming year PILOT funds are eliminated altogether.
  • In lieu of Pilot funds, the state has proposed doubling the town’s portion of real estate conveyance taxes, which would amount to roughly $40,000 to Bethany’s credit.
  • The state also proposes to give Bethany a portion of retail taxes equaling $4,646.
  • In summary, the state has cut $85,000 which was really $55,000 and is replacing it with about $46,646 which is a loss of $38, 354 or $8,354, depending on if you want to use the original PILOT number or the amount actually received.
  • Education funding remained about the same.

 

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Department Budgets

 

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  • The departments are in the process of submitting their budgets, and most of them have remained “flat,” meaning without an increase.
  • The Board of Education has asked for a relatively small increase of 1.4 percent.
  • The recreation department is asking for an increase in budget from $241,385 to $242,280. There is some concern, however, that the programs are not bringing in as many participants as they used to and may not generate the usual revenue. There are far more non-rec department after school programs than there used to be which is cutting into enrollment.
  • The library is asking for an increase from $101,000 to $117,232. The library board explained this number at a recent meeting; for years they have been dipping into their endowment to cover their expenses, and this year they are hoping for more from the town to keep them from reducing the endowment even further while they work towards their fundraising goals.

 

Snow and Ice Removal Issues

  • Due to the horrific winter, snow removal has left the town $145,000 over budget. However, it may end up better than it currently looks as other budget items may come in low and those extra funds will cover the deficit.
  • The January snowstorm was finally declared a disaster by the president, which means the town is eligible for money to cover the costs of snow removal for that two day period. The state delegation has asked for a 30-day extension of that time frame so that money used to remove snow from the roofs during the following weeks can be reimbursed.

Capital Expenditures

 

  • The town needs at least one dump truck with a plow. Bethany was scheduled to get one for this year and didn’t get it because of the economy, but now it has to be replaced. Two trucks are needed, but the town is looking into possibly hiring a contractor to cover one route; the price would vary depending on how much snow there is. According to First Selectman Derrylyn Gorski, based on this winter, it would be $40,000 to pay a contractor, while leasing a truck would be $60,000.
  • The gym roof needs repair (no estimate on cost yet) as well as the vault roof and the town garage roof.
  • The fire department is asking for the refurbishing of a pumper truck, estimated at $130,000. It would take several months to complete, during which time Bethany would rely on Prospect and Woodbridge if needed.
  • The town backhoe needs replacing.
  • The board of education is looking to replace the school oil tanks, which are in-ground and by law must be changed at 20 years. They also are asking for a new water tank and furnaces, all of which are nearing the end of a normal life span.

 

According to Gorski, the town will do a lease-to-own wherever it can, which is what their auditors advise with interest rates being so low. This year, she said, the big decision will be if the town will get a second dump truck/plow this year, or push it off until next year when another lease payment ends.

The town budget hearing is on Apr. 19. At that time residents can come and argue if they want money put back into the budget, which is rare. Once the budget is set and goes to the town meeting, residents can only ask to have money removed from it, not added.

Once the budget is finished, it will be posted on the Bethany website and copies will be available in Bethany Town Hall. Post cards will be sent out to residents notifying them of the town meeting on May 16.


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