March 27, 2008

The Honorable Board of Alderman
The Citizens and Taxpayers of Waterbury

Mayor’s Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2009

My Fellow Waterburians:
 
It is my pleasure to submit the proposed budget for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009.  This is the seventh budget I have had the honor to develop for the citizens of Waterbury.  It is the third time in my tenure that we have had to contend with the results of the revaluation of the grand list.

I know that the grand list growth of nearly 50% was of great concern to many of our citizens.  Although this was good news about the market value of their properties in the city, I heard from many taxpayers about their fear of not being able to continue living in the community they love because of heavy tax burdens.  We know we have tried our very best to develop an honest budget which seeks to minimize the tax impacts to our taxpayers.

I am forwarding a budget that cut over $16 million from the department requests.  In fact, we have developed a budget which is only $5.5 million more than the previous year; this is an increase of only 1.5% in the cost of services.   Nearly $5 million of that increase is going to the Department of Education as an investment in our system and our students.  Our new mill rate is 39.9202 mills.  It is our hope that for those who do see an increase in their tax bills the impact has been lessened by the grave responsibility with which we approached the development of this budget.

But the City has made great strides to fix its fiscal challenges that had it near bankruptcy when I took over and it cannot afford to grow lax in its commitment to long-term financial health.  This budget funds the pension plan as is actuarially recommended, it begins to set aside the normal cost for the Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB) liability recently recognized, and it continues to fund other long term liabilities like those associated with the Workers Compensation, Heart and Hypertension, and General Liability Internal Service Funds.

This budget, and the accompanying capital budget, also maintains our commitment to continued investment in our infrastructure.   The Operating budget contains a $1.5 million contribution to the Central Vehicle Fund which allows the city to continue to invest in the rolling stock of refuse and streets clearing trucks, as well as police cruisers and fire apparatus.   The Capital Budget includes recommendations for another $17 million investment in streets, bridges, sidewalks and the sewer and water plants.   This includes the recommendation to issue approximately $6 million in new bonding to address these community needs.

As you may know the City is also working with our State and Federal Government partners to increase the monies coming from those sectors to assist with some local projects.  As has been reported, the City is requesting $15 million to renovate the Waterbury Industrial Commons, $15 million for capital improvements and expansion of the Silas Bronson Library, and $10 million for a revolving fund to assist with economic development efforts.  This budget creates a small grants unit within the Office of the Mayor to start vigorously pursuing some of these efforts. 

This budget also increases the appropriations to the Waterbury Development Corporation, the Chamber of Commerce and the Mainstreet organization.  It is my hope and expectation that these organizations working in partnership with the City will develop a great plan for downtown which can be implemented and begin to show significant results soon.  In my opinion, the grand list growth documents that the market for property development exists and is favorable in Waterbury.  It is again my hope that the decreased mill rate is a welcoming sign to those businesses looking to relocate to the City and that it may spur further local investment from those who are already here.  I am also encouraged by reports that our departments’ efforts in anti-litter and blight activities are beginning to make a marked difference in certain neighborhoods and that citizens are again proud of their city.

This year again I wish to thank my budget development team for their hard work and commitment.  I thank the Department Heads and all of the employees of the City who provide the services needed by our citizens on a daily basis.  As I have said in the past, I am always proud of the citizens of Waterbury for their patience, and resolve and confidence in my Administration and the Board of Alderman as we worked though the difficult fiscal conditions faced in the recent past.

Thank you all for the continued support.  Again, it is my honor to serve the people of the City of Waterbury.

Respectfully submitted,

Michael J. Jarjura
Mayor