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Public Hearing Set For Hartford Budget

Jenna Carlesso

April 23, 2010

Residents will have a chance to comment Tuesday on Mayor Eddie A. Perez's proposed 2010-11 budget, which includes a 5 percent tax increase.

The mayor, the city's chief operating officer, David B. Panagore, and members of the city council will attend the public hearing. Panagore will give a brief presentation highlighting key points of the $554.3 million proposed budget, and Perez will speak before the hearing is opened for public comment, City Clerk John Bazzano said.

"We hope to get a good turnout. We want to know what the residents of Hartford and the businesses are thinking," Bazzano said.

Last year's budget hearing drew concerned taxpayers and unions. The mayor's proposed budget for 2009-10 included a 13 percent increase in property tax rates, though the budget ultimately passed by the city council included a 6.5 percent increase.

Tuesday's hearing will begin at 6 p.m. at the Bulkeley High School auditorium, 300 Wethersfield Ave.

Those who wish to speak must sign up. Each person is typically allotted three to five minutes for comment.

Perez's budget calls for a $19 million, or 3.5 percent, increase in spending over this year. It also includes a tax increase of 3.85 mills, or 5 percent, bringing the tax rate to 76.64 mills. That equals $76.64 for each $1,000 of assessed property value.

The increase could translate into a $320 rise in annual taxes on a single-family home assessed at $56,840, or a $1,364 annual increase on a mixed-used property assessed at $93,480 that includes both a business and a residential unit. The city based those estimates on a random sampling of local properties.

The city council will begin budget deliberations on Thursday. Members have until May 21 to amend the mayor's budget.

The city's deadline to adopt a budget is May 31.