Community Corner

Middlefield Mill Rate to Increase Under BOF Budget Proposal

The town's finance board will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, April 23, to present the $16.55 million proposal.

Middlefield's Board of Finance will hold a public hearing next week on its $16.55 million budget proposal.

If approved by voters, the town's 2013-2014 budget would increase Middlefield's mill rate to 32.99, from 32.15. 

Under the current proposal, taxpayers would get some relief on the town portion of their tax bill next year but the impact of a $36 million proposed school budget, which residents will vote on at a May 7 referendum, would end up increasing the average homeowner's tax bill by $141, according to figures.

Over the past two months the finance board has reduced First Selectman Jon Brayshaw's initial budget proposal by about $160,000, from $4.74 million to $4.58 million.

In addition, taxpayers would be responsible for nearly $12 million dollars of Regional School District 13's budget.

Middlefield's share of the school budget is increasing this year as student enrollment declines more sharply in Durham. According to figures, Durham lost 49 students between 2011 and 2012 while Middlefield lost just two.

While the burden has typically shifted between towns year-to-year, Middlefield finance director Joe Geruch said a demographic study completed last year indicates that the town will bear the burden of the changing enrollment in the near future.

"That study showed a shifting occurring where Middlefield would be picking up for the next number of years greater and greater portions of the school budget," Geruch said. 

The shifts will cost Middlefield one to one-and-a-half mills annually, Geruch said.

The public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, April 23 at 7 p.m. at the Middlefield Community Center. (Budget PDF is attached)


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