For those who want to see the 2014-15 budget process unfold, the Board of Finance is beginning to delve into its comperehensive review of both the municipal government budget and the proposed school budget for next year. The total budget proposal for town and schools is now $60.22 million, or about a 2 percent increase over the current year. The breakdown is about $20 million for the town government operations, $1.7 million for town and school capital expenses and $38.3 million for the schools.
First Selectman Bill Tinsley will present the Board of Selectmen’s budget proposal to the board tonight at 7 p.m. at the Brookfield High School library. The board will discuss revenue, capital and debt tomorrow night at 7 p.m.
As is often the case, the major focal point will likely be related to the Board of Finance’ workshop on Thursday night at 7 p.m.: that will be the Board of Education presentation. The board’s request is for a 4.66 percent increase; the selectmen voted 2-1 to reduce that by $1.5 million; Selectman Bill Davidson voted against.
On Tuesday, the Board of Finance will review police, fire and emergency medical services; Wednesday will be a regular board meeting, March 13 will be Public Works, Park & Recreation and the library and on March 18 will be land use, finance and technology departments. March 19 and March 20 will be board deliberations before two public hearings on March 25 and April 8 in the high school auditorium. On May 6, there will be a special town meeting to do a final discussion of the budget and set the referendum with a tentative date now of May 20.
Keep an eye on the town website:www.brookfieldct.gov for more details.