Tolland Council Chair Reacts To Another Failed Budget Vote, Unclear State Disbursement

TOLLAND, CT — Tolland Town Council Chairman Chris Moran Wednesday said the $60.6 million budget plan rejected by residents and taxpayers for the second time a day earlier was both a "responsible" one and "balanced," not only in terms of the numbers, but how it was supported.

The results Tuesday were:

• Yes - 1,213
• No - 1,273

The next budget referendum is slated for May 19, in the Library Program Room, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The budget proposal for the next fiscal year was:

Education

• Total: $46,014,811
• Increase: 34 percent or 1,513,060

Municipal

• Total: $14,632,175
• Increase: 3.2 percent or $453,710

Impact

• Tax Rate: 28.00 mills from 27.19
• Cost: $321 more on average

"The bipartisan budget that was adopted by the Town Council and sent to referendum was a responsible budget that balanced maintaining core services while mitigating the impact to the mill rate," he said. "It was the first budget in recent years that was unanimously supported by the members of the Council and the Board of Education. I think the numbers bear that out.

"The budget failed by only 60 votes."

After the legal notice had been posted for the vote, the state declared Tolland would be getting a one-time budget supplement of $416,611 — $52,389 on the municipal side and $364,222 for education. It was more money, but there wasn't a clear directive, officials from various towns said.

Said Moran, "Although I am grateful for the additional state funding that it appears towns will be receiving. Unfortunately, the timing resulted in logistical challenges for many municipalities, Tolland included. As of Wednesday night, our town manager and finance director still do not have a clear answer from the state on how this additional funding can be used."

As a result, the council postponed a special meeting to Thursday.

"We hope to have additional guidance from the state," Moran said.