Budget passes, mill rate rises to 14.27

KENT — On Friday, May 20, a town meeting attended by approximately 40 residents approved the town’s budget for the 2011-12 fiscal year, which begins July 1.First Selectman Bruce Adams called the meeting to order at 8 p.m. Paul Dooley was elected moderator.The $10,814,649 budget proposed by the Board of Finance was approved by voice vote with no changes. This is a 1.65 percent increase over the 2010-11 budget and includes $3,297,352 for the selectmen’s budget, $3,876,088 for the Kent Board of Education, $2,570,853 for the Region One School District and $1,070,356 for debt service and other capital projects.A voter’s amendment to reduce the selectmen’s budget by $50,000 in anticipation of unbudgeted revenue was not approved.Seven housekeeping items were also voted on and approved, including authorization for several boards to apply for, accept and expend federal, state or other grants. Voters approved the recommendation of the Board of Finance for a Five-Year Capital plan.Voters also approved the Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance appropriating up to $100,000 to be used as bridge funding for renovations of the Community House with the expectation all such funds will be reimbursed from the state Small Town Economic Assistance Program grant awarded to the town on Sept. 1, 2010.Voters approved a word change to the Codified Ordinance stating that no vehicle may be parked on any street or road maintained by the town between midnight and 7 a.m. between Dec. 1 and April 1. The penalty for violation is towing of the vehicles at the owner’s expense. Town Clerk Darlene Brady explained that a similar ordinance already exists but that the wording had to be revised. To cover the budget for the coming fiscal year, the Board of Finance raised the mill rate from 14.02 to 14.27. Connecticut cities and towns use the mill rate to determine property taxes. One mill represents $1 in real estate tax for every $1,000 of assessed property value. A 14.27 mill rate will cost Kent real estate owners $14.27 for each $1,000 of assessed property value.The 30-minute meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.