Middletown Mayor Proposes Budget With 3.8% Tax Increase

Mayor Daniel Drew has proposed a $132.27 million 2012-13 budget that would increase taxes by 3.8 percent.

“Where I could cut spending, I cut it massively,” Drew said, adding that he has proposed significant cuts in overtime costs and cut 12 vacant positions from the city workforce, which together would save more than $1.6 million.

The budget proposal would increase spending about 1.6 percent or $2.08 million over the current budget, and the tax rate would increase from 26.1 mills to 27.1 mills.

Drew said the tax increase for the average Middletown homeowner, with a home valued at $235,000, would be about $165 per year or $13.75 per month.

Drew’s proposal also includes hiring a grant manager to seek additional revenue for the city.

“I haven’t been shy about investing when I think the city will see a high return of investment in the future,” he said.

Drew’s budget proposes a school funding level of $70.75 million, the same amount as the current fiscal year.

The school board has requested $74.16, but Drew said the state is projected to provide an additional $872,000 directly to the district. He said his budget also includes $55,000 in grants for after-school programs at the schools.

Board of education Chairman Eugene Nocera said the board’s budget request represented increases it could not control, like salaries and insurance costs.

“Our request includes the contractual obligations we have to meet and that’s it,” Nocera said. “We are asking for no more increases across the line.”

Nocera said the board will try to avoid cutting programs and laying off staff at all costs, but said he is concerned about being able to maintain a good school district.

“When you have a long stretch of tight budgets there is no growth, there are no new programs and no ability to be creative,” Nocera said. “You’re just trying to make due with what you have.”

The council has scheduled workshops on April 17, 18, 23 and 24, all at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers at city hall. A public hearing where residents can comment on the budget will be held Thursday, April 26, at 7 p.m. in the council chambers.

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