Danbury's Budget Proposal

Yesterday, Mayor Mark Boughton (R), presented his 2007-2008 budget proposal to the Common Council. He did so about a month earlier than usual because he felt that Finance Director, Dena Diorio, should be present throughout the procedure. She announced about a month ago that she was going to leave her position by April to take a similar one in North Carolina.

Overall, it was a fairly good budget with reasonable ideas. The main points of the proposal are (courtesy of the News-Times):

• A 6.1 percent increase to education.
• About $686,000 for 10 new firefighters.
• Reorganizational plans for the Public Works Department.
• No increases to water and sewer rates.
• Flat funding for grant agencies.
• $250,000 for the White Street streetscape project.
• $61,000 to support the Cityline 311 service representative

It's nice to see a bold proposal with many ideas that will effect our city in a positive way. The budget is a $191.4 million proposal, which is a $13 million increase from last years budget.

Mayor Boughton praised his plan. He said the following about it:

"The 2007-08 budget is full of changes and improvements (but) the impact of these changes to the taxpayer is minimal."

Council Democratic leader, Tom Saadi, wasn't so quick to say that he supported the plan. He said:

"This budget relies on the governor's funds. While that reliance may be 80 or 90 percent right, we are going to have to make up the difference."

One of the most interesting parts of last evening was said to be that Council-At Large member, Lynn Taborsak, decided to leave a little early because she was upset over various issues. A Council member leaving early for no good reason? Makes you think about who really represents you.