property taxes
Council Democrats Propose Freeze on Hiring and Promotion
The nine Democrats on the City Council are proposing, “an immediate hiring freeze and promotion freeze on all positions in the City,” citing, “fiscal challenges facing the City.” The proposed Council resolution says that, because of budgetary challenges, “it is necessary and desirable to achieve cost savings by appropriate measures to ensure the funds of the […]
Stewart Proposes “Huge Tax Increase” Despite Claiming “No Tax Increase”
Republican Mayor Erin Stewart’s budget includes what is being called a “huge tax increase,” despite her own claims that her budget is a “no tax increase” budget. Stewart’s press release on her budget proposal says that she, “presented to the Common Council a $237.72 million budget for 2018-19 that calls for no tax increase and […]
Council Calls for a Presentation on the Property Tax Revaluation Process and Effects
Ald. Francisco Santiago (D-5) has announced that the City Council will hold presentation on February 14, 2018 on the property tax revaluation that the city has just conducted. He encourages residents to come to the meeting to ask questions and express concerns about the process. At the presentation, City Assessor’s office will explain about what a […]
Numbers Don’t Back Mayor Stewart’s Claim That State Budget Caused City’s Negative Credit Rating
By John McNamara Contributing Columnist Mayor Erin Stewart has blamed this year’s state budget crisis for the city’s negative credit rating in response to a November 2nd report of an “escalating” debt and her administration’s own budget that shows interest payments will cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars over the next four years. “We were downgraded […]
Council Considers Allowing City Borrowing Services Contract to Change Firms With Former Stewart Chief of Staff
The Republican-dominated City Council is set to consider a resolution that would authorize Republican Mayor Erin E. Stewart to sign a contract moving city borrowing services from one firm employing her former Chief of Staff to the firm to which he has recently moved. The Council resolution says that, “William Blair and Company, the City’s Public […]
Stewart Water Fee Increase Debate Deepens
In the debate around Republican Mayor Erin Stewart’s plan to increase water rates, despite her promise not to increase taxes, Democratic Ald. Manny Sanchez (D-3) has responded to the Republican mayor’s defense of her proposal. Stewart has cited ongoing water infrastructure projects, decreasing revenues and that water rates have not increased recently as reasons for […]
Ald. Sanchez Advocates Against Stewart Water Rate Increase
Democratic Ald. Manny Sanchez (D-3) is pressing Republican Mayor Erin Stewart and the Republican dominated City Council to not to increase water rates. “As locally elected officials, we have a duty to act in a fiscally responsible manner,” Sanchez said in a letter to Stewart. “This includes ensuring that our constituents do not incur unnecessary […]
Support for Malloy Budget Increasing State Aid to New Britain
By Bobby Berriault I write in strong support of Governor Malloy’s proposed state budget for FY 18 and FY 19. His budget calls for increasing state aid to New Britain by $24.2 million over the course of the next two years over what we currently receive. His proposal allows municipalities like New Britain to add […]