Westport Minuteman - News - 03/24/2005 - $50.3 million town budget approved

03/24/2005

$50.3 million town budget approved

By:Bonnie Adler , Staff Writer

The Westport Board of Finance last week approved the proposed $50.3 million 2005-2006 annual town budget for the fiscal year which begins July 1. The budget is 3.7 percent higher than the 2004-2005 annual town budget of $47.8 million.

First Selectwoman Diane Farrell said she was delighted with the approval by the Board of Finance.

These $50.3 million figure does not include the education budget, which is determined and approved separately and will be the subject of a March 29 meeting of the Board of Finance. That proposed budget figure stands at $93.9 million.

The annual Westport budget is comprised of both the education and the town budgets. According to town Finance Director Don Miklus, the total budget was $136.3 for 2004-2005, and this year it is expected to be approximately $144.2, an 5.8 percent increase.

The Board of Education's proposed budget currently is 6.9 percent higher than it was during the current fiscal year.

The Representative Town Meeting is expected to vote on whether or not to approve the entire budget at its two scheduled meetings, May 2 and May 3, when it reviews the budgets for each department.

The RTM has the authority to approve or disapprove line items and can also reduce or restore funds, according to Miklus.

The new tax rate will be determined by the Board of Finance on May 18 after the budget is approved.

Last year's mill rate was 20.6. Miklus said the projected tax rate will probably go up by 1.1 mill, depending on whether or not the state continues an increase in the conveyance tax that was slated to end June 30, 2005.

The public safety account for Police and Fire Departments represents $15.4 million, the largest component of the town budget. Both departments plans to add additional staff. The Fire Department intends to hire a training officer and the police department plans to hire a dispatcher.

There is also a provision in the budget for one additional Emergency Medical Technician for Emergency Medical Services. There was also a 4.6 increase in insurance costs, which contributed to the additional increase in the town budget, according to Miklus.