Hi All:
I would like to clarify the process and sequence of events around the Tax Abatement Committee (of which I am the Chair) and then the full Board of Aldermen decision to refund tax payments to CSX Railroad.
Railroads, under Federal law, do not pay local property taxes to each municipality but pay a gross receipts sales tax to the state. In our case CSX Railroad leased part of their New Haven yard to an entity called “Circle of Life”. The assessor’s office opined that Circle of Life is not either a railroad company or engaged completely in railroad activities. The City sent the owner of the property, CSX, a bill for local taxes as we felt that the land use was not exempt. CSX disagreed with the assessor but paid the taxes under protest. They then started proceedings to sue the City.
Prior to going to court the City has a committee that reviews litigation suits to see if it pays for the City to go to Court or settle. This committee is given its power and authority by the City Charter. This is the same document that gives power to the Board of Aldermen and the Mayor. This committee has the authority to enter the City into a legally binding settlement agreement.
In the case of CSX & Circle of Life vs. the City of New Haven, the City’s attorney – the Corporation Council – said that the city did not have a case and would probably lose. The charter authorized Litigation Settlement Committee agreed with the Corporation Council and voted to refund the payments.
I am not sure why the issue had to come in front of the BOA but it did. We heard the item and learned that our hands were tied in regard to denying the refund as the City was already legally bound to refund the payments. What we did do was ask the President of the Board – Carl Goldfield – to engage outside council to give an opinion if we should go after the upcoming years and suggest a strategy to pursue this with.
Sorry for the long write up but this is a pretty complicated issue and needs clarity.
Moti
PS NHI had a pretty good story on this issue when it was voted out of litigation settlement.
Showing posts with label Taxes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Taxes. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Monday, October 27, 2008
Elderly Tax Freeze
Posted to NHI:
There are two parts to the elderly tax freeze based on the applicants income level and if they have a spouse or not. The tax freeze has a $2,000 cap placed on the yearly benefit that a senior may receive. Any amount over the $2,000 can either be paid by the senior or put into deferral. The tax free benefit ends when the property is sold or transferred. Seniors who earn between $50,000 and $75,000 qualify for a deferral program that allows taxes to be deferred until the property is sold or transferred out of their name. Deferred taxes are charged a prime interest rate but create an option for individuals who do not meet the income requirements of the tax freeze. Homeowners who are 62 years of age and older qualify for the freeze if their spouse met all requirements at their time of death.
Applications for the program can be picked up at the City’s five senior centers or by contacting the Department of Elderly Services at 946-2272
The key is to make sure you get your application prior to November 1st or you will have to wait until next year.
There are two parts to the elderly tax freeze based on the applicants income level and if they have a spouse or not. The tax freeze has a $2,000 cap placed on the yearly benefit that a senior may receive. Any amount over the $2,000 can either be paid by the senior or put into deferral. The tax free benefit ends when the property is sold or transferred. Seniors who earn between $50,000 and $75,000 qualify for a deferral program that allows taxes to be deferred until the property is sold or transferred out of their name. Deferred taxes are charged a prime interest rate but create an option for individuals who do not meet the income requirements of the tax freeze. Homeowners who are 62 years of age and older qualify for the freeze if their spouse met all requirements at their time of death.
Applications for the program can be picked up at the City’s five senior centers or by contacting the Department of Elderly Services at 946-2272
The key is to make sure you get your application prior to November 1st or you will have to wait until next year.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Fire Department reoganization hearing
There will be a hearing on the re-organization of the New Haven Fire Department on October 7th at 6:30pm in the aldermanic chambers at 165 Church Street, 2nd Floor.
NHI Coverage
NHRegister Coverage
September 1, 2008
Carl Goldfield, President
New Haven Board of Aldermen
165 Church Street
New Haven, CT 06510
Dear Mr. President:
We would like to call upon the CAO’s office, for a plan from of action report on the possibility of reorganizing the New Haven Fire Department in order to achieve cost saving.
Yours truly,
Carl Goldfield Mordechai “Moti” Sandman
Alderman – Ward 29 Alderman – Ward 28
WHERAS the City of New Haven in it’s FY 2008-2009 budget allocated over $31million dollars for the Fire Department line item
WHERAS the City of New Haven has publicly announced the strong possibility of layoffs in the very near future
WHERAS According to the 2005 data (the latest figures available) calls for service to the City of New Haven Fire Department were 85% for medical service and 15% for fire suppression.
WHEREAS due to this inequality we as that the CAO look at the cost saving – if any – in removing or reducing the minimum staffing requirement. While it would not be a decision made lightly to reduce the staffing in the Fire Department, it is critical to provide the information necessary well in advance of the next contract negotiation to ensure that the best decision is made for public safety and public finances.
WHEREAS MMA Consulting Group, Inc. of Boston Mass issued an Operational Review of the New Haven Fire Department in August 2002
WHEREAS in the above mentioned report there were a number of options for the New Haven Fire Department to follow
WHEREAS both the recommended options included the expansion of our medical services currently provided by the Fire Department
WHEREAS the City of New Haven has a limited amount of Fire Department employees trained in Advanced Life Saving (ALS)
WHEREAS the City of New Haven currently does not bill medical insurers for medical services provided
Therefore be it resolved that the CAO or his designee report to the appropriate committee of Board of Aldermen of the City of New Haven regarding the refocusing of the Fire Department. Options should include the status quo, refashioning the department into a “First Responder” Department, reducing the size of the department, and such other options as might make sense.
Further be it Resolved that the Chief Administrative Officer or his designee report to the committee who the City can create a system for billing for services rendered, both currently and in any proposed new services.
Further be it resolved that with any restructuring appropriate consolidations be made and looking at the possibility of removing or reducing the minimum staffing requirement
Further be it Resolved that the CAO or his designee should present the requested report within 90 days of the passage of this resolution.
NHI Coverage
NHRegister Coverage
September 1, 2008
Carl Goldfield, President
New Haven Board of Aldermen
165 Church Street
New Haven, CT 06510
Dear Mr. President:
We would like to call upon the CAO’s office, for a plan from of action report on the possibility of reorganizing the New Haven Fire Department in order to achieve cost saving.
Yours truly,
Carl Goldfield Mordechai “Moti” Sandman
Alderman – Ward 29 Alderman – Ward 28
WHERAS the City of New Haven in it’s FY 2008-2009 budget allocated over $31million dollars for the Fire Department line item
WHERAS the City of New Haven has publicly announced the strong possibility of layoffs in the very near future
WHERAS According to the 2005 data (the latest figures available) calls for service to the City of New Haven Fire Department were 85% for medical service and 15% for fire suppression.
WHEREAS due to this inequality we as that the CAO look at the cost saving – if any – in removing or reducing the minimum staffing requirement. While it would not be a decision made lightly to reduce the staffing in the Fire Department, it is critical to provide the information necessary well in advance of the next contract negotiation to ensure that the best decision is made for public safety and public finances.
WHEREAS MMA Consulting Group, Inc. of Boston Mass issued an Operational Review of the New Haven Fire Department in August 2002
WHEREAS in the above mentioned report there were a number of options for the New Haven Fire Department to follow
WHEREAS both the recommended options included the expansion of our medical services currently provided by the Fire Department
WHEREAS the City of New Haven has a limited amount of Fire Department employees trained in Advanced Life Saving (ALS)
WHEREAS the City of New Haven currently does not bill medical insurers for medical services provided
Therefore be it resolved that the CAO or his designee report to the appropriate committee of Board of Aldermen of the City of New Haven regarding the refocusing of the Fire Department. Options should include the status quo, refashioning the department into a “First Responder” Department, reducing the size of the department, and such other options as might make sense.
Further be it Resolved that the Chief Administrative Officer or his designee report to the committee who the City can create a system for billing for services rendered, both currently and in any proposed new services.
Further be it resolved that with any restructuring appropriate consolidations be made and looking at the possibility of removing or reducing the minimum staffing requirement
Further be it Resolved that the CAO or his designee should present the requested report within 90 days of the passage of this resolution.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
The Mayor's Budget Roadshow
Hi All:
The Mayor is going on his anual budget roadshow. If you are intrested in the way your taxes will look this spring GO & ASK QUESTIONS! Moti
Budget Community Meeting
Please join the Mayor this Thursday, February 28th at 6pm at the Main Branch of the New Haven Free Public Library on Elm Street. This will be the first of four community meetings focusing on the budget. The presentation touches on our most recent local economic concerns such as taxes, city resources, services, shared responsibilities the State's role in our budget and more. We encourage you to attend and voice your questions and opinions about the fiscal topics that concern you most. If you can't make it to this Thursday's meeting, please join us at one of the following:
March 27 at 6pm, St. Aedan's Church Hall
April 9 at 6pm, Pilgrim Congregational Church Hall
April 24 at 6pm St. Bernadette Church Hall
The Mayor is going on his anual budget roadshow. If you are intrested in the way your taxes will look this spring GO & ASK QUESTIONS! Moti
Budget Community Meeting
Please join the Mayor this Thursday, February 28th at 6pm at the Main Branch of the New Haven Free Public Library on Elm Street. This will be the first of four community meetings focusing on the budget. The presentation touches on our most recent local economic concerns such as taxes, city resources, services, shared responsibilities the State's role in our budget and more. We encourage you to attend and voice your questions and opinions about the fiscal topics that concern you most. If you can't make it to this Thursday's meeting, please join us at one of the following:
March 27 at 6pm, St. Aedan's Church Hall
April 9 at 6pm, Pilgrim Congregational Church Hall
April 24 at 6pm St. Bernadette Church Hall
Friday, February 1, 2008
Budget Time
Hi All:
I just got an email from a neighbor asking about what the Aldermen are doing to aliviate the tax burden on the average taxpayer.
It is a great question and below please find my reply.
Also the budget season is coming up and truth be told it is not looking good, in my estimation there will probably be no mill rate drop and your revaluation will kick in the next 20%.
Thank you for writing to me with regard to the tax burden on the average tax payer. I understand the real pain of seeing your taxes jump substantially and not having a good reason why.
I dealt with this topic over the last year on my blog http://www.motisandman.blogspot.com/. I will give you an outline here of what is happening and for more details please check out the blog.
(You all reading this can type finance or taxes in the "search blog" box and read what I posted there, now back to the email.)
Back to your simple question of what – we the Board of Aldermen is doing about this – we are taking a multi pronged approach:
1) As you noted we are working with our state delegation up in Hartford to put in a “Property Tax Circuit Breaker” that would cap the amount a family paid in city property tax to 6% of their gross adjusted income. Please note that although the Mayor gets the press the Aldermen are working on this as well.
2) Looking at ways to reduce the city’s long term obligations i.e. Pension, Health Care. We the Aldermen have held a number of hearings on what city owned properties we can sell to raise additional funds and close the gap in what the state is giving us to what we need.
3) Working with our state delegation to find ways on raising revenue other then property taxes. As of now we can only generate funds by taxing folks on their houses and cars. We would like to be able to tax hotel beds and food & beverages as they do in other cities.
I hope that if you have any further questions or comments that you do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours truly,
I just got an email from a neighbor asking about what the Aldermen are doing to aliviate the tax burden on the average taxpayer.
It is a great question and below please find my reply.
Also the budget season is coming up and truth be told it is not looking good, in my estimation there will probably be no mill rate drop and your revaluation will kick in the next 20%.
Thank you for writing to me with regard to the tax burden on the average tax payer. I understand the real pain of seeing your taxes jump substantially and not having a good reason why.
I dealt with this topic over the last year on my blog http://www.motisandman.blogspot.com/. I will give you an outline here of what is happening and for more details please check out the blog.
(You all reading this can type finance or taxes in the "search blog" box and read what I posted there, now back to the email.)
Back to your simple question of what – we the Board of Aldermen is doing about this – we are taking a multi pronged approach:
1) As you noted we are working with our state delegation up in Hartford to put in a “Property Tax Circuit Breaker” that would cap the amount a family paid in city property tax to 6% of their gross adjusted income. Please note that although the Mayor gets the press the Aldermen are working on this as well.
2) Looking at ways to reduce the city’s long term obligations i.e. Pension, Health Care. We the Aldermen have held a number of hearings on what city owned properties we can sell to raise additional funds and close the gap in what the state is giving us to what we need.
3) Working with our state delegation to find ways on raising revenue other then property taxes. As of now we can only generate funds by taxing folks on their houses and cars. We would like to be able to tax hotel beds and food & beverages as they do in other cities.
I hope that if you have any further questions or comments that you do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours truly,
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Hearing Info about the Mayor's Requested Increase
Hi All:
I got a few requests for more information about the hearing on the Mayor's pay rate increase. Below please find the particulars:
Tuesday November 20th - 7pm
New Haven City Hall
165 Church Street
2nd Floor, Main Aldermainc Chamber
New Haven, CT 06510
There will be a sign up sheet for those that wish to speak on the issue. Please note there will be a time limit that the chair of the committee will set. I hope to see you there and please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Yours,
I got a few requests for more information about the hearing on the Mayor's pay rate increase. Below please find the particulars:
Tuesday November 20th - 7pm
New Haven City Hall
165 Church Street
2nd Floor, Main Aldermainc Chamber
New Haven, CT 06510
There will be a sign up sheet for those that wish to speak on the issue. Please note there will be a time limit that the chair of the committee will set. I hope to see you there and please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Yours,
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
The Mayor's requested Pay Increase
Dear All:
I have been contacted by a number of folks commenting on the pay rate increase that the Mayor is looking for. You can read about it in the New Haven Independent, the New Haven Register, or the Yale Daily News.
As your elected official I would like to hear what you think about this. For or against or perhaps a partial raise
The Finance Committee of the BOA is having a hearing at 7pm November 20th. I understand that the WEB meets that night so I won’t be at the WEB, but if one can’t make a hearing you can always send a letter to be read into testimony.
You can post a signed comment here, call me at 772-1805 or email me at ward28@snet.net
I have been contacted by a number of folks commenting on the pay rate increase that the Mayor is looking for. You can read about it in the New Haven Independent, the New Haven Register, or the Yale Daily News.
As your elected official I would like to hear what you think about this. For or against or perhaps a partial raise
The Finance Committee of the BOA is having a hearing at 7pm November 20th. I understand that the WEB meets that night so I won’t be at the WEB, but if one can’t make a hearing you can always send a letter to be read into testimony.
You can post a signed comment here, call me at 772-1805 or email me at ward28@snet.net
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Bootfinder
Hi Everyone:
The city is going to be restarting the Bootfinder program for unpaid car taxes. Please pay up or they will tow your car!
Yours,
The city is going to be restarting the Bootfinder program for unpaid car taxes. Please pay up or they will tow your car!
Yours,
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
The Vote on the Executive Pay Scale from last night...
Hi Everyone:
As you may have read in the NH Register and the NH Independent today I voted not to re-hear the Executive Pay Scale and vote that to pass it. For the reasons why I think it is a good idea please check out my earlier post here.
The issue at hand is that one member of the public felt that he did not have the opportunity to testify on the item. He wrote a letter to the President of the Board of Aldermen to stating that the original meeting in February 2007 was not properly noticed and therefore we should rehear the item.
I sit on the Finance Committee and I was in attendance at both meetings. I would like to point out the following
The staff of the BOA has noticed meetings in this format for over 7 years. The chair of the committee had staff pull the hearing notices for then and they were worded the same just the dates and topics changed. No one ever had a problem understanding that this was open for public testimony.
The Chair of the committee at the February meeting did call for public testimony and no one asked to speak. As is the rule he called out 3 times does anyone wish to testify on this item. No one responded.
The committee voted to move out of the public portion of the hearing and go to the closed portion (only members of the BOA can speak at this time). During the public portion and in the closed part of the hearing a number of colleagues had issues with the plan as presented. So during the closed part we said that we will table the item for now ask the city staff to get back to us with the answers we wanted (they did) and then we will reconsider the item.
After we got what we asked for, it was June. Then, because the item already was heard back in February we just had to un-table the item and vote on it. The chair of the committee decided that there was no reason to rehear the item, as a committee, had heard from the public and discussed the item already in the closed part of the hearing. There was relatively little discussion in the closed part because we got the answers and documentation we were looking for.
When the time came last night to vote on it I felt – and a majority of my colleagues as well – that the rules were followed and that we should enable the city staff to be able to have the opportunity to get raises after waiting 6 months.
This is a bit more detailed then usual but this is a complex issue and to be understood needs the details.
Yours truly,
As you may have read in the NH Register and the NH Independent today I voted not to re-hear the Executive Pay Scale and vote that to pass it. For the reasons why I think it is a good idea please check out my earlier post here.
The issue at hand is that one member of the public felt that he did not have the opportunity to testify on the item. He wrote a letter to the President of the Board of Aldermen to stating that the original meeting in February 2007 was not properly noticed and therefore we should rehear the item.
I sit on the Finance Committee and I was in attendance at both meetings. I would like to point out the following
The staff of the BOA has noticed meetings in this format for over 7 years. The chair of the committee had staff pull the hearing notices for then and they were worded the same just the dates and topics changed. No one ever had a problem understanding that this was open for public testimony.
The Chair of the committee at the February meeting did call for public testimony and no one asked to speak. As is the rule he called out 3 times does anyone wish to testify on this item. No one responded.
The committee voted to move out of the public portion of the hearing and go to the closed portion (only members of the BOA can speak at this time). During the public portion and in the closed part of the hearing a number of colleagues had issues with the plan as presented. So during the closed part we said that we will table the item for now ask the city staff to get back to us with the answers we wanted (they did) and then we will reconsider the item.
After we got what we asked for, it was June. Then, because the item already was heard back in February we just had to un-table the item and vote on it. The chair of the committee decided that there was no reason to rehear the item, as a committee, had heard from the public and discussed the item already in the closed part of the hearing. There was relatively little discussion in the closed part because we got the answers and documentation we were looking for.
When the time came last night to vote on it I felt – and a majority of my colleagues as well – that the rules were followed and that we should enable the city staff to be able to have the opportunity to get raises after waiting 6 months.
This is a bit more detailed then usual but this is a complex issue and to be understood needs the details.
Yours truly,
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Some (more) thoughts on the budget
Over the past few months and really solidifying in the last few weeks there has been a grass roots effort on the part of a number of citizens to voice their opinions and concerns to the finance committee about the new budget and tax levy.
From what I can see that this intense feeling is coming from the reevaluation and the shift of the real estate tax from the commercial property owners to residential owners. In 2006-2007-tax year the burden was 34% on commercial and 37% on residential owners. With the new valuations the burden is now 25% on commercial and 47% on residential. What this simply means is that in 2006-2007 the you the homeowner paid $0.37 on each dollar collected now we are going to be paying $0.47 on each dollar raised. See my early post about reevaluation for more on this topic.
With such a radical shift in the tax burden the BOA decided to have a 5-year phase in of the new valuations. This is meant to protect the average homeowner from having the burden shifted immediately to them. Please note that there is a State law that requires the City to have a reevaluation every 5 years. We are obligated by law to do this.
Back to the budget. In this new budget we had a number of items that drove the increase from an average of 3.5% to 7.1%. There are a number of drivers. I will cover some of them:
No small part due to increased energy costs. The same big hit we are taking on our home heating oil or gas and electric bill the City has that many times over. The good news is that over the past 10+ years there has been an concerted effort to invest in energy saving technology and upgraded light fixtures, traffic lights and the heating systems throughout City owned properties.
We hired 40 new Police officers and 26 civilians to fill empty and needed slots in all areas of the department. 8% of the total general fund budget.
In the Fire Department we have budgeted for a new class to come in and join the force. 6% of the total general fund budget.
Board of Education increased their budget by $5million to meet Union contracts and general improvements to the schools (this doesn’t include school construction). 38% of the total general fund budget.
Employee benefits –
Medical – $46million
Pension – 28.7million
Works Comp – $7.7million
Self Insurance – $4.5million
Other (Longevity bonus, Sick Leave Reserve, Life Insurance) – $2.2million
20% of the total general fund budget.
It is getting late now and will pick up latter on why the above was asked for and what was done.
Yours,
From what I can see that this intense feeling is coming from the reevaluation and the shift of the real estate tax from the commercial property owners to residential owners. In 2006-2007-tax year the burden was 34% on commercial and 37% on residential owners. With the new valuations the burden is now 25% on commercial and 47% on residential. What this simply means is that in 2006-2007 the you the homeowner paid $0.37 on each dollar collected now we are going to be paying $0.47 on each dollar raised. See my early post about reevaluation for more on this topic.
With such a radical shift in the tax burden the BOA decided to have a 5-year phase in of the new valuations. This is meant to protect the average homeowner from having the burden shifted immediately to them. Please note that there is a State law that requires the City to have a reevaluation every 5 years. We are obligated by law to do this.
Back to the budget. In this new budget we had a number of items that drove the increase from an average of 3.5% to 7.1%. There are a number of drivers. I will cover some of them:
No small part due to increased energy costs. The same big hit we are taking on our home heating oil or gas and electric bill the City has that many times over. The good news is that over the past 10+ years there has been an concerted effort to invest in energy saving technology and upgraded light fixtures, traffic lights and the heating systems throughout City owned properties.
We hired 40 new Police officers and 26 civilians to fill empty and needed slots in all areas of the department. 8% of the total general fund budget.
In the Fire Department we have budgeted for a new class to come in and join the force. 6% of the total general fund budget.
Board of Education increased their budget by $5million to meet Union contracts and general improvements to the schools (this doesn’t include school construction). 38% of the total general fund budget.
Employee benefits –
Medical – $46million
Pension – 28.7million
Works Comp – $7.7million
Self Insurance – $4.5million
Other (Longevity bonus, Sick Leave Reserve, Life Insurance) – $2.2million
20% of the total general fund budget.
It is getting late now and will pick up latter on why the above was asked for and what was done.
Yours,
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Hi Folks:
We are in the swing of budget time and I just want to update you on where things are and would love to hear what you think.
Carl Goldfield (Ward 29) & I set up a Budget 101 workshop at Hillhouse for April 18th (you should have gotten an email and a notice was put in the New Haven Register and in New Haven Independent & thank you Peaches for the great idea). I figure that we had around 35 to 40 people that came out. Robert Smuts, the new CAO, gave the presentation. He went over the big line item increases as well as the reasons why the budget increase overall. (Thanks Rob!)
The people who came out were for the most part questioned how revaluation and the phase in would effect their taxes. There was a feeling that the city is not doing all it can to bring down costs, especially with regard to School Construction. Irv Stolberger said that it is very dangerous for a city or state government to have a debt service over 10% - ours is over 12.5%.
Thursday night there were some pretty heavy budget hearings you can read more about it at www.newhavenindependent.org. Please let me know what you think about the budget. Without input from you - the people who voted me in - I can't represent you! Post a comment here or email me at ward28 at snet.net (take out the spaces and the word "at" and replace it with a "@" symbol - have been getting SPAM in the past few day.
Yours truly
We are in the swing of budget time and I just want to update you on where things are and would love to hear what you think.
Carl Goldfield (Ward 29) & I set up a Budget 101 workshop at Hillhouse for April 18th (you should have gotten an email and a notice was put in the New Haven Register and in New Haven Independent & thank you Peaches for the great idea). I figure that we had around 35 to 40 people that came out. Robert Smuts, the new CAO, gave the presentation. He went over the big line item increases as well as the reasons why the budget increase overall. (Thanks Rob!)
The people who came out were for the most part questioned how revaluation and the phase in would effect their taxes. There was a feeling that the city is not doing all it can to bring down costs, especially with regard to School Construction. Irv Stolberger said that it is very dangerous for a city or state government to have a debt service over 10% - ours is over 12.5%.
Thursday night there were some pretty heavy budget hearings you can read more about it at www.newhavenindependent.org. Please let me know what you think about the budget. Without input from you - the people who voted me in - I can't represent you! Post a comment here or email me at ward28 at snet.net (take out the spaces and the word "at" and replace it with a "@" symbol - have been getting SPAM in the past few day.
Yours truly
Thursday, April 19, 2007
BOA Finance Meeting Tonight!
Hi Everyone:
Just a reminder that there is a Board of Aldermen Finance Committee tonight at 6pm in the Aldermanic Chamber in City Hall, 165 Church Street.
This will be your last chance to publicly comment for the record about the budget. If you have something to say about the budget etc COME TONIGHT!!
See you there!
Moti
Just a reminder that there is a Board of Aldermen Finance Committee tonight at 6pm in the Aldermanic Chamber in City Hall, 165 Church Street.
This will be your last chance to publicly comment for the record about the budget. If you have something to say about the budget etc COME TONIGHT!!
See you there!
Moti
Friday, April 6, 2007
New School Construction
We (the City) is also planning on spending $100 million for two new schools. We will be reimbursed for part of the funds but not at the levels in the past, in addition building materials are going up every month in cost, so it is not good to wait. I asked about this and was told that this is for a school in East Rock which has been waiting for their school very nicely and a science magnet high school. I am not totally convinced. What do you think?
The Budget Part II
The Budget Process Part II:
We had a couple of intense budget workshops (workshops are hearings open to the public but the BOA hears testimony from invited guests only) over the past few weeks. We now have heard from all of the departments in the City on each of their particular portion of the budget.
We also heard about the Elderly Tax Freeze which is going to be revisited this Monday April 9th at 5:30pm in the main chamber.
I have heard from many of you and for the most part I am being told to hold the taxes down however we can. I believe that I am asking the question’s that need asking (see quotes in the New Haven Register & the New Haven Independent, you can do a search for my last name in the past 30 days and read the articles there, and I will try to post a link here as well).
A few months ago I voted for and strongly supported a spending bill that would put additional cops on our streets as well as additional clerical staff at 1 Union Station. I questioned the Chief if we still needed the clerical staff or could we out source some of the work. He said that even with the new hires we are still down from our historical highs in the late 1990's. I do not accept an answer of “This is what we had and this is what we should have again” but here I feel that it is urgently needed.
I asked questions about our Fire Department’s budget – including if we expect to reduce overtime and if we can – in some way – reduce our staffing commitments to the Fire Union. I didn’t get the answers that I liked, but unfortunately there is not much we can do.
When we met with Public Works – I asked about capital improvements for Beaver Pond Park. I was told that with this new study we have “bite size pieces” that the City’s budget can handle in the next few years. I will keep on top of them to see that this happens.
This then leads me into our budget process and what - if anything we can do to reduce spending.
Most of our budget is personal and personal cost driven. 91% of the NHPD budget is personal and direct personal costs (health care, pension, etc.) Similar numbers are seen throughout the budget. In addition we serve as a pass through for millions of dollars of Federal & State funds. This doesn’t cost us but it is a line item in our budget and increases the bottom line.
We signed some very generous contracts with our unions’ in the past year and these will be in effect for the next few years so there is no real hope in reducing the expenses associated with them for this or next fiscal year.
Remember on the 18th is our budget 101 class and the 19th is time when you can be heard as taxpayers 6pm City Hall, see you there!
We had a couple of intense budget workshops (workshops are hearings open to the public but the BOA hears testimony from invited guests only) over the past few weeks. We now have heard from all of the departments in the City on each of their particular portion of the budget.
We also heard about the Elderly Tax Freeze which is going to be revisited this Monday April 9th at 5:30pm in the main chamber.
I have heard from many of you and for the most part I am being told to hold the taxes down however we can. I believe that I am asking the question’s that need asking (see quotes in the New Haven Register & the New Haven Independent, you can do a search for my last name in the past 30 days and read the articles there, and I will try to post a link here as well).
A few months ago I voted for and strongly supported a spending bill that would put additional cops on our streets as well as additional clerical staff at 1 Union Station. I questioned the Chief if we still needed the clerical staff or could we out source some of the work. He said that even with the new hires we are still down from our historical highs in the late 1990's. I do not accept an answer of “This is what we had and this is what we should have again” but here I feel that it is urgently needed.
I asked questions about our Fire Department’s budget – including if we expect to reduce overtime and if we can – in some way – reduce our staffing commitments to the Fire Union. I didn’t get the answers that I liked, but unfortunately there is not much we can do.
When we met with Public Works – I asked about capital improvements for Beaver Pond Park. I was told that with this new study we have “bite size pieces” that the City’s budget can handle in the next few years. I will keep on top of them to see that this happens.
This then leads me into our budget process and what - if anything we can do to reduce spending.
Most of our budget is personal and personal cost driven. 91% of the NHPD budget is personal and direct personal costs (health care, pension, etc.) Similar numbers are seen throughout the budget. In addition we serve as a pass through for millions of dollars of Federal & State funds. This doesn’t cost us but it is a line item in our budget and increases the bottom line.
We signed some very generous contracts with our unions’ in the past year and these will be in effect for the next few years so there is no real hope in reducing the expenses associated with them for this or next fiscal year.
Remember on the 18th is our budget 101 class and the 19th is time when you can be heard as taxpayers 6pm City Hall, see you there!
Friday, March 23, 2007
New Date for Budget 101
OK folks,
It is looking that the best time to do the Budget 101 class is Wednesday April 18th. It is after Passover, Monday the 16th is a full BOA meeting, Tuesday the 17th is the WEB management team meeting and Thursday the 19th is the Finance Committee hearing that is open for public testimony. So after we have our little class I hope that everyone will show up and let us know what you think about the budget. Please note that we are doing this as a joint project with Carl Goldfield of the 29th Ward.
Yours,
It is looking that the best time to do the Budget 101 class is Wednesday April 18th. It is after Passover, Monday the 16th is a full BOA meeting, Tuesday the 17th is the WEB management team meeting and Thursday the 19th is the Finance Committee hearing that is open for public testimony. So after we have our little class I hope that everyone will show up and let us know what you think about the budget. Please note that we are doing this as a joint project with Carl Goldfield of the 29th Ward.
Yours,
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Poll For Budget Meeting
Hi there is a poll on the right of this post asking when we should have our budget meeting. If you have a particular date not listed please post a comment here. I need to move on this pretty soon.
Thanks,
Thanks,
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Mill Rate!!
Why didn’t the Mayor’s proposed mill rate not drop as expected
The revaluation will be phased in over five years (to reduce the burden on residential taxpayers), so the full mil rate decrease that would normally result must also be divided by five. That is why there isn't a dramatic decrease in the mil rate with the phase-in, even if there were no budget increase.
The mayor's proposed budget is about 7% higher than last year.
Some of that increase replaces state and federal funds that Hartford and Washington cut, and some of it pays for debt service (we are in the peak years of paying off loans for the school renovation program), labor contractual increases, and the hiring of more police officers. The Board of Aldermen Finance Committee hears testimony about the mayor's proposed budget and then sets the final mil rate. The first Finance Committee budget hearing was on March 15, the next one will be March 22nd at 6:00p.m. at City Hall.
You can check out what you would pay under this proposed budget at http://www.cityofnewhaven.com/ look for the “Tax Calculator” and have your old and new assessment handy for you will have to enter them in to calculate the phase in.
Special Credit & Thanks to Ina Silverman - Ward 25 for her contributions to this post
The revaluation will be phased in over five years (to reduce the burden on residential taxpayers), so the full mil rate decrease that would normally result must also be divided by five. That is why there isn't a dramatic decrease in the mil rate with the phase-in, even if there were no budget increase.
The mayor's proposed budget is about 7% higher than last year.
Some of that increase replaces state and federal funds that Hartford and Washington cut, and some of it pays for debt service (we are in the peak years of paying off loans for the school renovation program), labor contractual increases, and the hiring of more police officers. The Board of Aldermen Finance Committee hears testimony about the mayor's proposed budget and then sets the final mil rate. The first Finance Committee budget hearing was on March 15, the next one will be March 22nd at 6:00p.m. at City Hall.
You can check out what you would pay under this proposed budget at http://www.cityofnewhaven.com/ look for the “Tax Calculator” and have your old and new assessment handy for you will have to enter them in to calculate the phase in.
Special Credit & Thanks to Ina Silverman - Ward 25 for her contributions to this post
The Elderly Tax Freeze
The Elderly Tax Freeze
The Elderly Tax Freeze had its public hearing last Thursday I would say there were a good 100 people there in support of it and a few against it. The committee needed more time to review different scenarios and is going to be dealt with again at this Thursday’s Finance Committee meeting.
The Elderly Tax Freeze is for homeowners over age 70 with income under $50,000 would have their annual tax bill frozen at the current amount (the amount that they paid in July ‘06 & January ‘07) until they no longer own the property. Homeowners over age 70 with higher incomes can defer taxes with or without accruing interest, depending on income, until the house is sold or transferred. (Senior homeowners have always had the option of requesting a tax deferral but very few people take advantage of this option.)
The expected loss of revenue to the City is estimated at $1.3 million in year 1, working up to $4.02 million in year 5. This is not taking into account the amounts that we will get back when someone in the higher bracket moves (they have to pay the city back) nor can we say for certain that all eligible seniors will take part in this. That is why the above can be looked at only as an educated guess.
The Committee has a number of way of dealing with this
Passing it as is
Denying it as is
Revising it.
I don’t feel that it will be rejected out right, nor do I feel that it will pass in the current form. That is why I believe that it will pass with a number of revisions.
Some of the revisions proposed are to soften the financial impact this will have on the City. We can charge interest to people who make over a particular Gross Adjusted Income (GAI) that would be paid off when the home is sold.
We can cap the total reduction. This can be done on a citywide basis. Meaning we have $2 million to spend on this program and the reduction will be based on how many people apply but the lost revenue will not exceed the set dollar amount. Or we can cap the homeowner to a yearly credit of not more then $10,000 or what ever number is appropriate.
We can cap the people eligible to participate by lowering the income threshold.
The Elderly Tax Freeze had its public hearing last Thursday I would say there were a good 100 people there in support of it and a few against it. The committee needed more time to review different scenarios and is going to be dealt with again at this Thursday’s Finance Committee meeting.
The Elderly Tax Freeze is for homeowners over age 70 with income under $50,000 would have their annual tax bill frozen at the current amount (the amount that they paid in July ‘06 & January ‘07) until they no longer own the property. Homeowners over age 70 with higher incomes can defer taxes with or without accruing interest, depending on income, until the house is sold or transferred. (Senior homeowners have always had the option of requesting a tax deferral but very few people take advantage of this option.)
The expected loss of revenue to the City is estimated at $1.3 million in year 1, working up to $4.02 million in year 5. This is not taking into account the amounts that we will get back when someone in the higher bracket moves (they have to pay the city back) nor can we say for certain that all eligible seniors will take part in this. That is why the above can be looked at only as an educated guess.
The Committee has a number of way of dealing with this
Passing it as is
Denying it as is
Revising it.
I don’t feel that it will be rejected out right, nor do I feel that it will pass in the current form. That is why I believe that it will pass with a number of revisions.
Some of the revisions proposed are to soften the financial impact this will have on the City. We can charge interest to people who make over a particular Gross Adjusted Income (GAI) that would be paid off when the home is sold.
We can cap the total reduction. This can be done on a citywide basis. Meaning we have $2 million to spend on this program and the reduction will be based on how many people apply but the lost revenue will not exceed the set dollar amount. Or we can cap the homeowner to a yearly credit of not more then $10,000 or what ever number is appropriate.
We can cap the people eligible to participate by lowering the income threshold.
Budget Issues Overview
Hi Everyone:
It is that time of year again, Tax Season! And for the Board of Aldermen it is budget time. We are currently hearing a number of issues that will impact the amount of money that you pay in taxes next July. I want your input so, I, as your representative have a basis for making a decision. Below are two of the issues that are hot topics now so lets start with them.
The Elderly Tax Freeze
Why didn’t the Mayor’s proposed mill rate not drop as expected
I will post this email the blog under separate headings so you can let me know what you think of each issue individually.
You can contact me via email at ward28@snet.net, posting in the comments section of www.motisandman.blogspot.com, or posting a comment at www.beaverhills.org in the forum titled “Ask Moti”.
If you are not comfortable posting publicly for what ever reason please email me and indicate in the email that you want to keep you name private. Otherwise I will be sharing your replies and thoughts with my colleagues as sent in (with names).
I will do my best to incorporate your ideas and look forward to hearing from you.
It is that time of year again, Tax Season! And for the Board of Aldermen it is budget time. We are currently hearing a number of issues that will impact the amount of money that you pay in taxes next July. I want your input so, I, as your representative have a basis for making a decision. Below are two of the issues that are hot topics now so lets start with them.
The Elderly Tax Freeze
Why didn’t the Mayor’s proposed mill rate not drop as expected
I will post this email the blog under separate headings so you can let me know what you think of each issue individually.
You can contact me via email at ward28@snet.net, posting in the comments section of www.motisandman.blogspot.com, or posting a comment at www.beaverhills.org in the forum titled “Ask Moti”.
If you are not comfortable posting publicly for what ever reason please email me and indicate in the email that you want to keep you name private. Otherwise I will be sharing your replies and thoughts with my colleagues as sent in (with names).
I will do my best to incorporate your ideas and look forward to hearing from you.
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