Tetreau Proposes $272.6M Budget for FY2013
This budget carries a 3.61 percent increase and a 4 percent increase in taxes.
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First Selectman Michael Tetreau presented to the boards of Selectmen and Finance Thursday a $272.6 million operational budget for Fiscal Year 2013 (FY2013).
The proposed budget carries a 3.61 percent ($9.4 million) increase over the current budget and would, if approved as is, carry a .9 mill increase -- or raise most residents’ taxes by 4 percent.
The goal of the budget, Tetreau said, is to “strengthen the town’s financial foundation…without significantly decreasing services, without reductions in personnel.”
Still, the town continues to face a “challenging economy.”
“We’re certainly still struggling, and it’s not going to change anytime soon,” Tetreau said. “It’s the new reality.”
Non-tax revenues are down $700,000 -- or 3.3 percent -- from Fiscal Year 2012 (FY12), Tetreau said. Non-tax revenues are generated through sources like golf fees, conveyance taxes, state aid, and building permit fees.
On the bright side, the town is projected to save approximately $900,000 in expense salaries like health insurance (1.05 decrease), electricity (16.85 decrease), and pension contribution (12.94 decrease). The decrease in funds for electricity is a result of actions taken by the Purchasing Department to improve efficiency; health insurance costs have been offset by an increase in employee cost share; and pension is fully funded.
Tetreau added that department heads did a “significant amount of work” to maintain their overall costs at an almost zero percent increase.
He also reduced the Board of Education’s budget to $148,852,416 -- $612,525 decrease -- a result of revised pension numbers discovered after the Superintendent Dr. David Title submitted the budget. The school budget now carries a 2.18 percent increase over last year, instead of the 2.6 percent that was originally approved by the school board.
Approximately $8 million of the $9.4 million increase is attributed to eight line items, which Tetreau called the “major budget drivers.” Those items are marked by an * in the complete proposed budget chart below:
| Item | Approved: FY12 | Proposed: FY13 | Increase | % increase |
| Board of Education* | $145,680,350 | $148,852,416 | $3,172,066 | 2.18% |
| Debt Service* | $24,870,179 | $25,929,804 | $1,059,625 | 4.26% |
| Supplemental Contribution Surplus* | $0 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | - |
| Supplemental Contribution Risk Management* | $0 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | - |
| Paving (Public Works)* | $1,500,000 | $2,500,000 | $1,000,000 | 66.67% |
| OPEB (Retirees Health)* | $7,364,000 | $8,331,367 | $967,367 | 13.14% |
| Contingency* | $850,000 | $1,600,000 | $750,000 | 88.24% |
| Salary/Wages | $40,517,303 | $41,126,954 | $609,651 | 1.50% |
| Worker's Comp | $2,000,000 | $2,550,890 | $550,890 | 27.54% |
| Unemployment Comp* | $200,000 | $400,000 | $200,000 | 100% |
| All Other | $24,754,785 | $24,792,346 | $37,561 | 0.15% |
| Health Insurance | $10,038,740 | $9,933,702 | ($105,038) | -1.05% |
| Electricity | $1,780,000 | $1,480,000 | ($300,000) | -16.85% |
| Pension (Town & Police/Fire) | $3,518,586 | $3,063,258 | ($455,328) | -12.94% |
| Total | $263,073,943 | $272,560,737 | $9,486,794 | 3.61% |
*Explanations for the major budget drivers:
- The Board of Education budget reflects more than a $3 million increase for FY2013, Tetreau said. Roughly 75 percent of that impact is derived from labor costs, and Tetreau’s reduction of the Title’s proposed budget does not impact any educational or planned programs, he said.
- Debt Service (paid on general bonds) carries a $1 million increase. Debt services, along with workers compensation insurance and retiree medical insurance, is a multi-year commitment that cannot be changed in one particular year, Tetreau said. However, changes can be implemented that could reduce the expense over several years, he added.
- Supplemental Contribution - Surplus is a new line item that is intended to “maintain a reserve in line with rating agencies guidelines for AAA towns,” Tetreau said. This is part of the effort to address the Negative Outlook that Moody’s assigned to the town.
- Supplemental Contribution – Risk Management is another new line item created to increase “total net assets in the risk management fund” to also shore up reserves, per rating agencies’ guidelines for AAA towns, Tetreau said.
- Paving carries a large increase due to an agreement between the Boards of Finance, Selectmen, and the RTM to include it in the budget rather than to bond all paving projects.
- OPEB – Retiree’s Health Insurance is now fully funded as recommended to the town.
- Contingency funds for unforeseen circumstances was increased significantly (following the wake of natural disasters like Tropical Storm Irene and the October snowstorm).
- Unemployment compensation was increased by 100 percent due to last year’s slash in the Board of Education budget and the layoffs that ensued. “What we did a year ago impacts us this year and will impact us next year as well,” Tetreau said.
The “All Other” category includes department budgets and capital requests.
[Editor’s Note: For updates on the budget process, refer to the Fairfield Patch Budget Guide.]
Jim Eastwood
7:50 am on Friday, February 17, 2012
Good Morning Fair $$$$$$ Field !!
Increase in Taxes
Again !!!!!
PLEASE NOTE TAXPAYERS a 12.94 % DECREASE In Police and Fire Pensions !!!!!! STOP COMPLAINING about Fire and Police Pensions and Stop Trying to Change the System !!!!!!
Does the Board of Education do that ???????
Have a Great Day !!!!!!!!
Gerard Speno
10:33 am on Friday, February 17, 2012
See This Board of Finance / Board Of Selectman Meeting on Fair TV
Cablevision Ch 78 / 79
Ch 79: Sun: 6:30 AM, Mon 3:30 PM, Tue: 6:30 PM, Wed: 6:30 PM, Thur: 8:45 AM
Fri: 5:30 PM, Sat 6PM
Ch 78: Sun > Wed : 12:45 PM Thur > Sat 11:30 AM
Chuck E. Arla
11:35 am on Friday, February 17, 2012
Super. At this rate in 10 years your taxes will have increased by 50%......and that's not taking into account any reass essment shenanigans.
steve sheppard
11:37 am on Friday, February 17, 2012
I am confused with the line item of "OPEB Retirees Health" of $7MM then $8MM. I thought in retirement at 62+ retirees would fall under medicare and medicade. Can anyone explain this one, thanks.
Fairfield Resident
11:41 am on Friday, February 17, 2012
LOL!!! "Paving" Budget Increased 66.67%!!
That's because the DPW is full of incompetent bafoons!!
Case in Point:
Late last fall, Reef Road was milled down and repaved from Fairfield Beach Road to Oldfield Road.
New concrete curbs were installed, new asphalt driveway aprons were installed and sidewalks were repaired.
Everything looked great.............................
Until you fast forward a couple of months to present day and Reef Road has already been torn up and repaved in several locations!
I noticed at least one location at Millard Street was for a new storm drain, not sure about the work at the others.
You would think our illustrious DPW would have had the foresight to scope out and do this repair work / new installations BEFORE they repaved the road. They could have also reached out to the utility companies (U.I., SCGC, Aquarion, etc.) and inform them that "Hey, we are tearing up our road at this location, you have any projects you want to get done BEFORE we repave the road?"
Now the new pavement is vulnerable to water infiltration and damage at the seams of the crappy patches the DPW and / or contractors have made in the new pavement.
Good Job Fairfield DPW!
Now we know why your paving budget is so inflated. Our roads have to be repaved more frequently from premature damage caused by our own DPW's incompetence!
John Doe
12:12 pm on Friday, February 17, 2012
I'd have to agree with Fairfield Resident for ONCE. Although I would not say our DPW is incompetent, I would say that they need to consider their priorities. As far a paving is concerned...do what you can with the budget your given. What you can't get done this year then do next year. They need to have a plan and not just an all out "lets pave every road in town" attitude. The roads they pave aren't even that bad. If it NEEDS work then do it, if it can wait then wait. In a time where we need to save money, I think it would be safe to say that some roads can wait to be paved until the money is there.
John Jameson
6:39 pm on Friday, February 17, 2012
DPW does have a paving plan. Call Scott Bartlett, he'll be happy to explain it to you, and no, the plan is not pave every road in town. Of course, everyone in town thinks THEIR road is in the worst shape and is the one that needs to be paved NOW. There are many different reasons why a road is paved. And roads are often the first thing residents will complain about.
Newtotown
5:43 pm on Friday, February 17, 2012
Any increase is unconscionable. There should be cuts and rollbacks in taxes, especially after all of Flatto's follies. This is just more of the same.
Jim Eastwood
9:55 am on Saturday, February 18, 2012
Good Morning You all
How come the "Patch" hasn't commented on the "Issues" with in the FD??
Perhaps we can install a "Boxing Ring" at FD Headquarters and charge admission ???
That would be one way to Lower taxes !!!!!
Have a Great and EXPENSIVE Day !!!!!
Chief Grover
11:00 am on Saturday, February 18, 2012
Becareful Jim, your on a slippery slope. Back in the day punching someone out in the firehouse was common place and nothing came of it. But keep in mind why you are retired and you may want to keep your mouth shut on this one. Those two rookies you threatened can type too. Just a word from the wise.
KEVIN DILLON
12:07 pm on Saturday, February 18, 2012
Property taxes do not HAVE to go up every year. Wisconsin property taxes did not increase in 2012. Why? Because they have leadership willing to take on the tough issues instead of punting. This is not a Dem/Repub issue. Rell took a pass as well. Until we have similar leadership at the state and local levels, who will think out of the box, the cost to live in CT will continue to skyrocket. Ct can lay claim to being the worst state to retire in. Major reason, taxes. http://www.topretirements.com/blog/great-towns/worst-states-to-retire-2012-northeast-and-midwest-come-up-losers.html/
Newtotown
4:59 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Walker is a hero! I wish we had someone like him here in CT that had the guts to stand up to the unions that are strangling our state.
Cheesehead
5:35 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Newtotown....your "hero" will be available soon, they are throwing him out
Newtotown
6:15 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Cheesehead, he is still in office. What are the unions so afraid of, that Walker's policies will work?
You should learn to think before you write ignorant gibberish, but i guess you have soft cheese between the ears.
Cheezehead
7:48 am on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Newtotown READ the post "your hero will be available soon" READ. I know he is still in office,but he will be gone soon.
iamspartacus
7:01 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Wisconsin had an increase in unemployment when the rest of the country has been decreasing. Walker is a failure and thankfully will be increasing the employment rate himself. Oh wait the Koch Bros. will employ him, come to think of it he works for them already! Ohio fought back and won, Michigan will be next and Obama will be soon wiping the floor with whichever Republican zero they put up as a sacrifical lamb this November. The tea party is gone (it was fake anyway) now is the time for the 99% to take power back.
Fairfield Granny
5:36 am on Sunday, February 19, 2012
Fairfield Granny-
Enough! Stop spending! Get control of your costs and do whatever it takes to make this a ZERO increase in taxes this year! This town is getting ridiculous. And the salaries of Mr. Title, some school officials and others are out of line. Mr. Tetreau, think again, please! This is an insult after all the garbage left by Flatto. Go back and sharpen your pencil. I know you can do better.
maryHelen Melnick
1:55 pm on Monday, February 20, 2012
you tell them granny.these saleries for the administration are out of control. they need a cap on them which many have already have reached i feel so to me they should up and leave.One administrator took the fast track to stardom.
Newtotown
4:57 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
I am so sick of these spendthrift bums handing out other people's money like candy. We should vote ALL of these bums out of office at the earliest possible moment.
registar
5:38 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
newtotown.......you need to be a registered voter to participate in voting. Your voting record is not so good.
Newtotown
6:08 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Gee "Registar" how would you know anything about my voting record? You seem rather creepy.
registar
6:17 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
newtotown the registar knows all and sees all, so you need to work on your voting attendance.
Gerard Speno
10:23 am on Sunday, February 19, 2012
This Meeting BOF/BOS 2/16/2012 Public Budget Hearing is now on :
fairtv.pegcentral.com
Video on Demand
as are all February meetings to date.
Creeky
3:17 pm on Monday, February 20, 2012
Thanks for all your efforts Gerard. You're doing a great service to your community and we appreciate it.
Fisher
9:08 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Sounds like the same old boys club.Just keep raising taxes. How disappointing this all is.
I also would like to know what is going on at the Fire Dept. How can one shuffle this under the carpet? if I hit someone at work, I would be fired.
Chief Grover
10:40 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Fisher want to know whats going on at the fire dept?..........nothing.....nothing is going on. If there was a phyisical altercation the police would be involved. As we read in the article no police involvement. So unless you want to get off your chair and do some investigation into your aligation. I recommend you close your trap.
Cindy Hughes
9:43 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
The "incompetent bafoons" down at the DPW are the number one and number 2 man. One is leaving in June. The other should be right behind him You think the Fire Dept. is bad. Talk to the guys down at public works and you will find out.
Shovelman
10:39 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Cindy poor cindy. She doesn't like Rich or Scott. go fix it cindy..
FFLDRESIDENT
11:03 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Wish my yearly salary increase were 4%, but its not close, not in this economy. If everyone else has to make do with less, why can't the Town as well?
iamspartacus
7:06 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
perhaps the private sector is treating you unfairly ffldresident.
the gdp is above 2007 levels
corp. profits are record high
intrest rates are historically low
production is up
yet you got no raise?
unite with the 99% and stop being an apologist for the people who are robbing you
iamspartacus
7:07 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
oh yeah and the dow passed 13,000
yet still no raise?
FFLDRESIDENT
2:46 pm on Friday, February 24, 2012
I didn't say NO raise, but a raise not at 4%. Many business are still very cautious, unlike Fairfield that has no problem continually raising taxes.
maryHelen Melnick
11:14 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
If any taxpayer wants to come to a meet of fairfielder's for good government meeting and express their concerns about how our town is being run come aprril 2 at 7 p.m. to the main branch memorial room and help make a difference.
Stanley Simpleton
11:20 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
...or better yet...anyone concerned enough can simply show up to the RTM meeting next Monday night to see your representatives in action.
Details below:
Meeting: Representative Town Meeting
Start time: 8:00 PM
Location: Board of Education Administrative Office
http://cal.fairfieldct.org/content/111/113.aspx
Gerard Speno
12:25 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
OR if you can't make it
Catch it on Fair Tv Channel 79
Meeting should be in schedue by Tuesday mid morning and On VOD
http://fairtv.pegcentral.com
within 2 days
and coming soon ..hopefully ...by mid March..
LIVE!!
steve sheppard
11:21 am on Friday, February 24, 2012
Can anyone explain the OPEB retirees health of $7.3 million then $8.3 million. I thought once one is retired they would be on medicare/medicade? Also can anyone explain the $3.5 million then $3 million for police/fire pension. I thought we were fully funded with the pension and also that we are getting some of money back from the Madoff
Amo Probus
7:33 am on Saturday, February 25, 2012
Government taxation knows no limits