PROPOSED OPERATING BUDGET FISCAL YEAR 2021 TOWN OF STRATFORD PROPOSED OPERATING BUDGET FISCAL YEAR 2021 TABLE OF CONTENTS Annual Budget Message Annual Budget Ordinance Mill Rate Ordinance Where Your Tax Dollars Go Expenditures Sources of Revenue ADMINISTRATION Office of the Mayor Town Council I Clerk Human Resources Town Attomey Chief Administrative Officer Registrar of Voters Town Clerk Town Service Agencies Planning and Zoning Infonmation Technology 2 3 4 5 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 TOWN OF STRATFORD PROPOSED OPERATING BUDGET FISCAL YEAR 2021 TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONTINUED) OVERHEAD AND DEBT SERVICE Contingency Accounts Debt Service/Capital Purchases Employee Benefits 22 23 24 FINANCE Finance Administration Accounting and Treasury Purchasing Tax Assessment Tax Collector 25 26 27 28 29 HUMAN DEVELOPMENT Community Services Health Department Recreation Department Senior Services Sterling House Stratford library Association Economic Development Visiting Nurses Association 30 31 32 34 35 36 37 38 TOWN OF STRATFORD PROPOSED OPERATING BUDGET FISCAL YEAR 2021 TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONTINUED) PUBLIC WORKS Public Works Administration Building Inspections Building Maintenance Engineering Highways Town Garage Parks Refuse/Recycling I 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 PUBLIC SAFETY Fire Department Fire Administration Fire Suppression· Fire Prevention 47 48 49 Dispatchers Communication Center 50 Police Department Police Administration Police Investigation Police Patrol Police Records PoliceTraffic Police Professional Standards 51 52 53 54 55 56 TOWN OF STRATFORD PROPOSED OPERATING BUDGET FISCAL YEAR 2021 TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONTINUED) , OPERATING TRANSFERS Operating Transfers - Out 57 BOARD OF EDUCATION BOE 58 ENTERPRISE FUNDS Water Pollution Control Short Beach Complex Railroad Harbor Fund Emergency Medical Services Dog Fund 59 61 62 63 64 66 SALARY AND WAGE SCHEDULE 67 TOWN OF STRATFORD PROPOSED OPERATING BUDGET FISCAL YEAR 2021 Mayor Laura R. Hoydick Council Members Christopher Pia First District Kaitlyn Shake Second District Paul Tavaras Third District David L. Harden Fou rth District Greg Cann Fifth District Ken Poisson Sixth District Bill Perillo Seventh District James Connor Eighth District William O'Brien Ninth District Laura Dancho Tenth District March 9, 2020 Dear Members of the Stratford Town Council, I am transmitting to you our proposed Fiscal Year 2021 operating budget for the Town of Stratford. In preparing this budget, the administration has again taken a hard look at the spending priorities of our town measured against the burden on our hardworking taxpayers. I am proud of the collaboration of this administration and the Town Council, and this proposed budget will represent a third consecutive year of tax decreases. Our partnership last year resulted in the first budget in the history of our Mayor-Council form of government to be passed unanimously in a bipartisan fashion. I am looking forward to continuing this work with the Town Council to achieve our collective goals for the residents of Stratford. Our economic and financial successes have been against the stream, making them all the more remarkable as the State of Connecticut continues to be in precarious fiscal footing. I am hopeful that the new administration in Hartford will continue efforts to keep pledged funding to municipalities, but we must remain flexible in the face of future challenges, and vigilant against potential pitfalls. As of today , the State continues to withhold critical LoCIP funds to all municipalities across the state, representing $390,000 to Stratford. As the budget adjustment process plays out in Hartford this year, we must continue to do our utmost to see that Stratford's interests are kept at the forefront. Despite the State of Connecticut's continued weak economic growth, our economic development and redevelopment efforts have yielded a Grand Li st growth of taxable property of 3.3%. The town also underwent the state mandated revaluation this year of all real property in the town. Highlights of this budget proposal include a reduction of the mill rate to 39.64 mills, the third such reduction in a row, while maintaining eq ual operational increases to Town Operations and the Board of Education. We fully fund our Public Safety Departments, and make critical long-term adjustments to funding our pension and bonded debt that results in savings of $7.6 million over 20 years. We are stabilizing health insurance expenses as a resu lt of using one carrier for both municipal and Board of Education benefits. We are utilizing technology for more efficient processes with our new MUNIS upgrade for all departments to track time and attendance, and introducing a paperless environment which will save on space and significantly reduce paper use. There is much to do, and I look forward to continuing the work we have done in collaboration with town leaders and the residents of our great community. Respectfully submitted, Laura R. Hoydick, Mayor BUDGET CATEGORY 2019 ACTUAL 2020 ADOPTED lOll PROPOSED % OPERATIONS , TOWN BOE STATE PENSION ASSESSMENT EMS SPECIAL ASSESSMENT TOTAL EXPENDITURES 107,660,164 111,878,542 113,062,213 114,588,5 11 421,635 219,538,706 227,650,724 450,000 234,336,592 183,129,857 28,238,124 8,170,725 21 9,538,706 187,672,983 29,663,167 10,314,574 227,650,724 191,740,3 13 3 1,877,829 10,718,450 234,336,592 4,553,924 68,309 4,485,615 4,617,73 1 69,2 66 4,548,465 4,769,109 71,537 4,697,572 3.28% 39,97 39,87 39,64 -0.58% 116,146,897 117,739,695 2.73% 2.75% REVENUES: PROPERTY TAXES STATE OTHER TOTAL REVENUES MILL RATE CALCULATION GRAND LIST UNCO LLECTIBLE RATE VALUE OF A Mill REQUIRED LEVY 2.17% 7.47% 3.92% BUDGET 2019 ACTUAL 2020 ADOPTED 2020 PROPOSED % TOWN OPERATIONS, ADMINISTRATION OVERHEAD & DEBT FINANCE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT PUBLIC SAFETY OPERATING TRANSFERS TOTAL BOE OP ERATIONS EMS SPECIAL ASSESSMENT TOTAL OPERATING BUDGET 8,021,083 55,016,129 1,784,285 6,156,395 12,383,095 23,738,463 560,714 107,660,164 8,295,211 57,850.469 2,001,789 6,257,093 13,897.443 24,016,560 743,648 113,062,213 8,649,942 58,468,931 2,118,065 6,554,699 14,520,403 25,084,857 750,000 116,146,897 111,878,542 115,010,146 117,739,695 219,538,706 228,072,359 4.28% 1.07% 5.81% 4.76% 4.48% 4.45% 0.85% 2.73% 2.37% 450,000 214,336.592 2.75% TOWN OF STRATFORD PROPOSED OPERATING BUDGET FISCAL YEAR 2021 BUDGET SUMMARY (REVENUES & EXPENDITURES) TOWN OF STRATFORD PROPOSED OPERATING BUDGET FISCAL YEAR 2021 PROPOSED ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET AN ORDINANCE PROPOSING THE ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE TOWN OF STRATFORD FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING JULY 1, 2020, AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2021, AND APPROPRIATING THE SUM OF $234,336,592 IN ACCORDANCE THEREWITH ; WHEREAS, the Mayor has prepared and submitted to the Town Council the annual operating budget for the Town of Stratford for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2020, and ending June 30, 2021, in accordance with the Stratford Town Charter; and WHEREAS, the Town Council has given consideration thereto and has conducted public hearings in connection therewith; and WHEREAS, the estimated amount of current expenses, permanent improvements, and other lawful charges of the Town of Stratford for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2020 and end ing June 30, 2021, is $234,336,592 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY ORDERED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF STRATFORD: That the budget attached hereto and made a part hereof be and is hereby proposed as the operating budget for the Town of Stratford for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2020 and ending June 30, 2021; and That the sum of $234,336,592 is hereby appropriated for the current expenses , permanent improvements, and other lawful charges for each department and each division thereof of the Town of Stratford for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2020, and ending June 30, 2021 , all in accordance with the provisions of the budget attached hereto and made a part hereof. TOWN OF STRATFORD PROPOSED OPERATING BUDGET FISCAL YEAR 2021 PROPOSED MILL RATE ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE LEVYING A TAX RATE OF 39.64 MILLS ON THE DOLLAR ON THE GRAND LIST OF TAXABLE PROPERTY IN THE TOWN OF STRATFORD, CONNECTICUT, ON THE FIRST DAY OF OCTOBER, 2019. WHEREAS, the Mayor has prepared and submitted to the Town Council the annual operating budget for the Town of Stratford for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2020, and ending June 30. 2021 . according to law; and WHEREAS , the Town Council has given consideration thereto and has conducted public hearings in connection therewith ; and WHEREAS, the estimated revenues of the Town of Stratford other than by taxation for the fiscal year commencing July 1,2020, and ending June 30, 2021 , are $ 42,596,279; and WHEREAS, the Town CounGil has proposed an operating budget for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2020, and ending June 30, 2021; and WHEREAS, a tax levy at the rate of 39.64 mills on the dollar on the Grand List of taxable property in the Town of Stratford on October 1, 2019, is necessary to meet the appropriations, less the estimated amount of revenue from other sources as permitted by law to be raised ; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY ORDERED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF STRATFORD: That a tax rate of 39.64 mills on the dollar on the Grand List be and is hereby levied against all taxable property in the Town of Stratford on the Grand List of October 1, 2019; That said tax shall be due and payable in two equal installments, one half thereof on July 1, 2020, and the second half thereof on January 1, 2021 , provided , however, that any tax, the aggregate amount of which shall not exceed $100.00 shall be due and payable in one payment on July 1, 2020. 2 TOWN OF STRATFORD APPROVED OPERATING BUDGET Fiscal Year 2021 Expenditure Analysis "Where Your Tax Dollars Go" Health/Human Services 1.3% Debt/Capital 14.3% Administration 3.7% Employee l::SenleTit~3 __/ 8.9% Library 1.4% • Percentage total may not equal 1000/0 due to rounding. Finance 0.9% Public Works 6.2% Operating Transfers 0.3% ;;;11;:-_ EMS Special Assessment 0.2% Poli ce 5.6% 3 TOWN OF STRATFORD PROPOSED OPERATING BUDGET Fiscal Year 2021 Expenditures Special EMS Assessment 0.2% Education 50.2% 4 PROPOSED OPERATING BUDGET FISCAL YEAR 2021 REVENUES TOWN OF STRATFORD PROPOSED OPERATING BUDGEl Fiscal Year 2021 Sources of Revenue All Other State Aid 13.6% 4.6% I .. Property Taxes 81.8% 5 TOWN OF STRATFORD PROPOSED REVENUE SUMMARY FISCAL YEAR 2021 PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2021 REVENUE SUMMARY - GENERAL FUND ORG OBJ PROPERTY TAXES 0 11 00 40 12 0 11 00 40 13 0 1100 40 14 0 11 00 40 12 01 100 4051 011 00 4052 011 00 4053 011 00 4054 ACCOUNT DESCRIPTION Revenue Current Taxe s Revenue Current Tax Interest Revenue Current Tax Lien Supplemental Arrears Tax Arrea rs Tax Interest Ar rea rs Tax liens Tax Refund s & Adjust ments Payments in Li eu - Federal 011 00 4290 011 00 4292 Payments in Li eu - Loca l TOTAL STATE OF CONNECTICUT 011 00' 4231 State Education Cost Sharing State School Bond Prin ci pa l 011 00 4232 011 00 4252 State School Bond Interest State Special Educatio n Gran t 011 00 4233 Veterans Added Rel ief 011 00 4260 In Lieu of State Prope rty 011 00 4242 State Disability Exemption 01100 4244 State Circuit Breaker 011 00 4243 Elderly Freeze Tax Relief 011 00 4251 . 0 11 00 4250 State Health CGS 10-2 17A State Telecomm Pers Property 0 11 00 4 258 A irplane Registration Fee 0 1100 4265 Mashantuci