2015-2016 Budget Passes, Second Year in a Row Taxes Decrease for Residents

First Selectman Lisa Heavner thanked the voters of Simsbury for coming out and approving a Town budget which does not raise taxes for the second year in a row. 

“This budget lowers taxes while still delivering what our residents ask for – quality services, modernized technology and responsible stewardship of our natural resources and town assets to keep Simsbury a vibrant, beautiful, safe and desirable place to live and do business,” said Ms. Heavner. “This budget would not have been possible without the cooperation of town staff, and the Boards of Selectmen, Finance and Education all working together to bring the best services to Simsbury. Thanks to everyone who put in long hours.”

All five questions on the ballot passed. The total approved budget for the town was: $98,578,627. A total of 988 votes were cast out of 15,775 eligible voters, or 6.26 percent participation.

“This is a responsible budget,” said Board of Finance Chairman Peter Askham. “For the second year in a row taxes have inched downward. This was made possible by the various boards working together and an increase in the town’s Grand List.”

“Crafting a budget for a high-achieving school system like ours is no simple task,” said Simsbury’s Superintendent of Schools Matthew Curtis. “With the ultimate goal of creating great schools for each and every child, we have had to balance fiscal responsibility with our need for growth in programming at all levels K-12. Additionally, funding for capital projects and support for a myriad of other variables impact our bottom line. This required working cooperatively with the Town of Simsbury’s governing boards to find a way to achieve this balance.”

There were several areas where cost savings were achieved this year as well, said Ms. Heavner, which combined with common goals for the boards, input from residents and the hard work of town staff made the tax decrease possible.

Broken down by question:

Question 1: The result on this was 808 voting yes and 176 no for the board of selectmen’s annual budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016 in the amount of $18,867,969.

Question 2: The result on this was 775 voting yes and 211 no for the board of education’s annual budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016 in the amount of $66,453,005.

Question 3: The result on this was 794 voting yes and 187 no for paying the expenses of Sewer Use Fund (Sewer Treatment Plant), Residential Rental Properties, Simsbury Farms/Special Programs, Non-public Schools, Debt Retirement/Capital and Capital Non-recurring annual budgets for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016 in the amount of $13,257,653.

Question 4: Voters approved, 728 in favor and 256 against, to allow the Town of Simsbury to appropriate $1,100,000 for improvements to the Simsbury Farms skating rink and pools and authorize bonds and notes in the same amount to finance said appropriation.

Question 5: Voters approved, 742 in favor and 242 against, to allow the Town of Simsbury to appropriate $2,150,000 for installation of climate control improvements to Simsbury High School, Henry James Memorial School, Central School, Latimer Lane School, Squadron Line School, Tariffville School, and Tootin’ Hills School and authorize bonds and notes in the same amount to finance said appropriation.

The board of finance set the mill rate at 37.12, a decrease from last year’s rate, which was 37.14. The fire district has yet to be determined its mill rate.