Geiger presents proposed budget

WINSTED —  Town Manager Robert Geiger presented his budget proposal for fiscal 2017–2018 to the Board of Selectmen during its meeting on Monday, March 20.

Geiger unveiled a total proposed budget for the town of $33,438,506.

Geiger’s budget proposal is an increase of $337,332 from the town’s fiscal 2016–2017 budget of $33,101,174.

If passed, Geiger said that the mill rate will remain the same as last year, at 33.7.

On the municipal side, Geiger is proposing estimated general fund expenditures of $13,280,000, a $685,000 increase from the current fiscal year.

On the Winchester School District side, Geiger is proposing a budget of $19,958,150, which is the state mandated Minimum Budget Requirement. 

However, Geiger said that the school district has proposed a budget of $20,416,779.

Budget presentation

At the meeting, both Geiger and Finance Director Bruce Stratford discussed the proposal to the selectmen.

Geiger said that, since fiscal 2012–2013, there has been a growth in the town’s general fund balance.

In fiscal 2012–2013, the town’s general fund balance was in the red by $1,427,000, and in fiscal 2013–2014, it was short by $1,205.

Geiger told the board that, starting in fiscal 2014–2015, the town’s general fund balance came back into the positive by $3,526,000.

From there, Geiger said that the general fund balance continued to grow: $5,163,000 in fiscal 2015–2016 and $6,175,000 in fiscal 2016–2017.

“This all relates to our ability to borrow money,” Geiger said. “This fiscal year we have a pretty healthy fund balance. I don’t want people to be thrilled by that because we have a lot of use for that money for infrastructure repair. It’s a good position to be in, although we currently have no credit rating. If we were apply for a bond, we would probably receive it. Our percentages are pretty healthy at this point.”

Geiger said that the town’s net grand list has grown by 2.7 percent in one fiscal year, which equates to $455,000 in new tax revenue.

“That tax revenue is going to be used for more town road improvements,” Geiger said. “We are going to begin to repair the roads with our own money and not borrowing any money. I’m proposing not to bond given the nature of the state and the uncertainty that exists out there. I’m saying let’s pay our way right now. The last thing I want to do is have the town incur more debt.”

Proposed capital 

improvements

In his budget, Geiger is proposing $1,956,412 in capital improvements.

The proposed improvements include: $1,441,000 in road repairs, $200,000 for a Department of Public Works (DPW) salt shed, $146,412 for an excavator for DPW and to pay on leases for existing plow trucks, $110,000 for the Sucker Brook Road bridge repair project and $59,000 for one new police vehicle and the lease on three existing police vehicles.

Geiger said that for the road repair budget, $163,000 will be used from state funding and $635,000 will be used from the town’s general fund balance.

“[The road repair budget] is a great number, and we haven’t spent a number like this in a long time,” Geiger said. “We are going to come up with the most logical plan [for road repairs] and best use of the money. I can assure you, it’s not going to please everyone, but we will do our best. $1.4 million does not go far enough, but we’re going in the right direction. 

He added that the salt shed purchase is being mandated by the state.

As explained by Mayor Candy Perez, the board will hold several meetings to discuss Geiger’s proposed budget.

On Monday, March 27 at 7 p.m. at Pearson School, a public hearing will be held to discuss the school district’s budget.

A public hearing on the proposed budget in its entirety will be held on Monday, April 3, at 7 p.m.

Perez said that the budget will be finalized by Friday, April 21.

From there, the proposed budget will go before residents at the annual budget town meeting on Monday, May 8.

Geiger’s proposed budget is available on the town’s website at www.townofwinchester.org.