With the budget deadline only two weeks away, the City Council has had a unique review of the document in the era of Wuhan Virus restrictions. According to City Council Chairman Ron Quagliani (D-at-large), despite the fact the panel has had to work through tele-conferencing, this are moving along well.
The council is reviewing Mayor Nancy Rossi’s $165.2 million budget plan, presented in March. The council than had to have its annual public hearing as a remote event. The hearing kicks off the six-week review under the current charter.
Quaglianis said the meeting’s format was different, and that fewer questions were received, but overall it did what was expected.
“The Public Hearing on the budget was a different format this year due to the pandemic,” he said. “We received 14 emailed public comments – 1 regarding the overall recommended budget submitted by the Mayor to the Council and 13 regarding the Library.”
With the review, the public is still part of the process, as they can use electronic means of asking questions. These can be budget-review items or questions posed for regular meetings.
“Public comments are handled by writing to the City Council or emailing the City Council on a particular item, and these comments will be read into the record during the Public Comment section on our agenda at the next meeting,” he said.
According to the chairman, public comments or questions must consist of not more than one page and must include the residents name and address. Emailed comments are to be sent to mdimassa@westhaven-ct.gov and regular mail should be mailed to West Haven City Council, City Hall, 355 Main St., West Haven 06516.
With the public hearing completed, the council had its regularly scheduled meetings and its review of the budget toward a budget ordinance. Quagliani said the council is working in a “virtual” manner, continuing to conduct on-line meetings.
“The City Council has been and will continue to conduct its regular, committee, and special meetings virtually until the coronavirus restrictions are lifted. Residents can view our meetings by clicking on the YouTube channel on the City of West Haven web page. Our agendas are posted prior to our meetings on the website as well,” he said.
As far as the budget is concerned, the means of discussion might be a bit different, but the mechanics are familiar.
“Finance Chairman (Bridgette) Hoskie (D-1) has set the Finance Committee budget hearing dates which began April 14. These meetings will be handled virtually and the public can view these meetings as well as described above,” he said.
The late start of the budget review was not an error, Gov. Ned Lamont has given municipalities more time to complete their tasks.
“One of the governor’s executive srders allows municipalities to extend their budget process to approve a budget no later than June 30 instead of our usual first Thursday in May deadline. This may be advantageous to us as we should have a better assessment of the economic climate on June 1 than we would on May 1,” Quagliani said. “The Council recognizes that there will be difficult days ahead for our residents due to this pandemic and job loss caused by it.”
Pandemic or no, the city is still under the scrutiny of the Municipal Accountability Review Board (MARB). Its scrutiny of the city’s budget and the processes that lead to a final product are ongoing.
“MARB continues to provide oversight and would like to stick to the pre-pandemic five-year plan. I fell that is unreasonable,” Quagliani said.
The five-year plan imposed by the MARB included an incremental increase in the city’s mill rate until 40 mills was achieved. The budget includes a .8-mill increase to 37.48. That means each homeowner and property owner would be taxed $37.48 per thousand of assessed value up to 70 percent of the total. Quagliani said he and the council believe the new reality of the nationwide shutdown make a tax increase onerous on residents.
“We will continue to advocate for our residents and their reduced ability to pay for services especially due to these historic times of uncertainty, job loss, and reduced financial stability,” he said.
Lamont has given a nod to the financial problems, and extended other tax deadlines as well. Quagliani said the council is looking at the options and will do what is best for the taxpayers.
“The governor has also issued executive orders that allow us to extend the tax due date from July 1 and lowers the interest fees for those who cannot pay on time due to coronavirus impacts. The Council will look to take advantage of these programs to assist our residents until they can get back on their feet,” he said. “In order to do that we, along with many other municipalities, will be looking to the state to provide a backstop for us to fund our operations for the first quarter of FY21 until these delayed revenues can materialize.”
Quagliani wanted to take the opportunity to thank all those on the front lines of pandemic, as well as the residents of the city, who are doing their part.
“I would like to offer a heartfelt thank you to all our health care workers, first responders, essential workers, and our residents that have supported them and each other in all the many acts of kindness we are seeing. In this time of stress, anxiety, uncertainty, and disconnect, I am comforted to watch the spirit, kindness, and sense of community that is occurring throughout West Haven, Connecticut, and these United States. Stay well,” he said finally.