April 26 - May 3, 2006
News Brief By The Hartford News
Mayor Eddie Perez has recommended a budget of $491,478,000 for the City of Hartford for the upcoming fiscal year. Perez said the budget puts more financial resources behind his two top priorities for the city: Public Safety and Education. These two areas see the biggest increase in his recommended 2006-2007 budget. A public hearing will be held Thursday, April 27, at 6 p.m. at Bulkeley High School Auditorium. The hearing will be carried on Hartford Government Cable Access Television, Channel 21. The Mayor’s Recommended Budget of $491,478,000 reflects an increase of $27,779,422, or 6 percent, over last year’s adopted budget. Important elements of this budget include:
Two new classes of police recruits. A Police class of 20 officers is scheduled to start at the Police Academy in September 2006 and a second class of 20 officers is slated to start in January 2007.
A Fire class of 20 recruits is also set to begin in January 2007.
The Hartford Public School System would be appropriated $259,577,333. This reflects an increase of almost $6 million or 2.3 percent.
Establishing the Office for Youth Services as a City Department to promote positive youth development.
Funding is designated to the 311 Work Management System, a key highlight of the Mayor’s State of the City Address. The system is designed to handle non-emergency questions or requests for service in a single call, without duplication of requests between departments.
The funding formula to achieve these budgetary goals includes a combination of not filling current job vacancies and other departmental cutbacks as well as a property tax increase of 4 mills. That translates to approximately $137 more per year for the average city homeowner.
