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Bethel plans to renovate the outdated locker rooms, bath rooms and multi-purpose room lobby in the municipal center. Thursday, August 16, 2018, Bethel, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut MediaBethel plans to renovate the outdated locker rooms, bath rooms and multi-purpose room lobby in the municipal center. Thursday, August 16, 2018, Bethel, Conn.
Bethel plans to renovate the outdated locker rooms, bath rooms and multi-purpose room lobby in the municipal center. Thursday, August 16, 2018, Bethel, Conn.
Bethel plans to renovate the outdated locker rooms, bath rooms and multi-purpose room lobby in the municipal center. Thursday, August 16, 2018, Bethel, Conn.
BETHEL — The finance board approved Thursday evening a $79.8 million budget that will raise the tax rate 0.98 percent.
The budget, which includes just under $48 million for the schools and $31.8 million for the town, has polarized residents and sparked frustration with the governor’s executive orders that prevent a referendum on the budget during the coronavirus pandemic.
“This is a compromise budget,” said board member Dalene Foster, who was among the four board members who approved the budget. “Not everyone got what they wanted or needed.”
Two members opposed the budget, while member Cynthia McCorkindale abstained, calling the vote “illegal.” She has filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice arguing the governor and Bethel officials were violating voting rights by preventing a referendum.
Member Bryan Terzian, who voted against the plan, said the board could have prevented a tax increase, in part by using savings from this fiscal year, while still adequately funding education and the town.
He predicted the town’s unemployment rate would go higher due to the pandemic.
“We’re just at the tip of it now,” he said. “It’s going to get much deeper and much more hard on people. I think it’s irresponsible to raise taxes right now.”
Board member Nick Ellis, who also opposed the budget, pointed to the 480 families, some who waited for hours, who received free food Wednesday evening at a local church.
He said it would be “wrong” to raise taxes and that town departments should have to make do with less money.
“That’s what all these families in Bethel are doing,” Ellis said.
But to reach a zero-percent tax increase, the board would have had to “gut” the budget, Foster said.
“It would have been letting a lot of people down,” she said.
More than 200 people tuned into Tuesday’s public hearing, with some arguing residents could not afford a tax increase, while others said funding was critical, especially for the schools.
The education board had originally requested a $48.6 million budget, which would have increased spending by 4.7 percent to deal with rising enrollment and other challenges.
Under the approved budget, school spending will increase 3.35 percent, while municipal spending will go up 0.69 percent. Overall spending will rise 2.27 percent.
Board member Wendy Smith said the tax relief, social services and community programs the budget supports would help those residents who are struggling financially.
“I have faith in our town leaders and faith in the community that we will continue to do the right things for our residents,” she said.
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