On Wednesday, May 22, New Fairfield’s Board of Finance (BOF) surprised many residents in attendance at a three-hour Zoom meeting by voting 4-2 to attempt  a lower tax increase and reduce  the Board of Education’s operating budget, rather than continuing to increase the taxes and restore money to the original budget. At issue was the closeness of the advisory questions – whether the budget was too low or too high, which led some BOF members to believe that a lower tax increase may draw more voters. In addition, it was noted that restoring money to the original BOE budget through compromise twice before had not worked.

There is apprehension among opposing board members regarding whether the move signals another potential budget referendum failure, given that “Too Low” was a higher answer.  BOF member Ms. Cheryl Reedy pointed out, though the Board of Selectmen will set a temporary mill rate to move Town business forward, the BOF will need to continue putting out budgets until one passes.

A Town Meeting will be held to vote on the following:

1. To consider and act upon the appropriation of Town Government Expenditures totaling $14,105,707 from the General Fund, and $539,455 from the Capital and N on-Recurring Fund, and $2,499,112 from other Governmental Funds, as recommended by the Board of Finance, for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2024 and ending June 30, 2025.

2. To consider and act upon the appropriation of Education Expenditures totaling $54,921,776 from the General Fund, and $119,577 from the Capital and Non-Recurring Fund, as recommended by the Board of Finance, for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2024 and ending June 30, 2025.

3. To consider and act upon the advisory questions “do you feel the Town Budget is too high or too low” and “do you feel the Education Budget is too high or too low.”

The amounts represent a $500,000 decrease to the original education budget and the restoration of an additional $100,000 that was previously slated to come from the debt service bond premium as part of the second referendum.

After some discussion, the BOF agreed in a different make-up of a 4-2 vote to agree to send $41, 672 in unappropriated surplus funds to a Town Meetin g for the BOE’s capital use. Dissenting BOF members wanted to keep all possibilities to lower taxes in the hopper, but it was explained that using the unassigned fund balance in that way hurts the Town with ratings agencies. It was also noted that using the surplus for capital serves that same purpose anyway, given that it eliminates requests in a future budget.

BOF members heard a positive update on continued lower medical claims from their insurance consultant, Mr. Tom Kowalchik. He advised the group to stay at their current coverage for stop loss, given that it was more than adequate for this year.

The next regular Board of Finance meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 26, 7:30 p.m.