Reprinted from The Trumbull Times © Copyright 2008
May 22, 2008

To the Editor:

On February 8, First Selectman Baldwin presented his official operating budget proposal for fiscal 2008-09, the total ($135,214,699) resulting in a prospective mill rate of 24.8, an increase of 11.6 percent over the current year's 22.22

Baldwin rationalized the proposed additional tax burden blaming the Planning & Zoning Commission for lack of Grand List growth. When asked why a double digit tax increase was proposed, Baldwin indicated this was just a starting point in the overall budget process. In essence, he deferred his responsibility of further reducing the budget to the shoulders of elected volunteers of the Board of Finance and Town Council.

On March 13 the Board of Finance reduced the operating budget proposal by more than $3,054,000, resulting in an adjusted mil rate increase of 8.9 percent. The latter amounts were subsequently (April 24) sustained by the Town Council.

The Democrat-controlled Town Council attempted to add back almost $455,000 specifically for the restoration of educational funds, money to increase from part-time to full-time the salary of the Economic Development Director and the annual membership fee for the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities. It is unconscionable that, at the time of voting, Democratic council members were willing to add to the town's operating budget additional dollars to further burden the taxpayers of Trumbull.

On May 15 the BOF made several 'favorable' adjustments to projected "other revenue" estimates as previously submitted by the First Selectman (based upon the availability of more up-to-date "source" information) which approximated $900,000 and also applied the use of $700,000 from the town's fund balanced account (by a 4-2 vote) to reduce the final mill rate to 23.86, or an increase of 7.38 percent over the current year.

The Republican members of the Board of Finance contended that $1 million should have been applied from the town;s fund balance= account to reduce the final mill rate to 23.8, or an increase of 7.11 percent. Because of a 'split' with the Democratic members of the BOF on this issue, the Republicans - and one Democrat = "comprised" on the final amount used from this source.

The major "trigger" which affected the final mill rate increase of 7.38 percent was the overall operating budget increase of $5,361,856. Of the latter total, the increase of $1,537,199 in the town's debt service accounted for 2.12 percent of the subject mill rate increase. Most of the latter increase ($1.220,000) represents a 'one time only' payment of a long-outstanding lawsuit claim against the town which insurance did not 'cover'.

Taxpayers should remember the impact of this non-election year budget increase and the imposing additional $73 million debt looming as a result of the pending Trumbull High School renovation project - an "anchor" that is to be placed on the future bank accounts of Trumbull residents.

Trumbull voters deserve better.

Jack Testani
Republican Town Committee