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NB 7.4% Tax Increase? Public Hearing April 5

At an April 5 public hearing, North Branford residents can weigh in on a proposed $52.3 million town budget that, without changes, delivers a 7.4 percent tax increase next year.

As previously reported at Zip06, the Town Council's work to rein in expenses and mitigate a tax increase has been a challenge. The proposed 2016-17 budget, which has been the subject of several Town Council workshops taking place in late March, requests a spending increase of $1.84 million or 3.65 percent. But revenue generated by the Grand List to support that cost will be down by about $1 million next year; while a new debt payment of $248,600 puts the town even further in the hole. See the full story on the proposed budget here

Following the Tues. April 5 public hearing at 8 p.m., the council will roll up its collective sleeves for more work on the budget, with two final budget workshops scheduled for April 6 and April 7.  The Town Council, which is also the town's Finance Board, will then vote on any adjustments made in order to finalize the Town's Council's budget recommendation.

By Town Charter, the council's budget recommendation then heads to the polls the second Tuesday in May, where voters can register approval or disapproval of the bottom line. But, by Town Charter, those voting results are not actionable by Town Council unless a minimum of 15 percent of voters turn out. Last year, with a 3.88 percent tax increase on the line, the referedum drew almost nine percent of the town's electorate to the polls — an exceptional turnout when measured against past years — but still not enough. Ninety percent of those residents voting on last year's budget felt it was too high. This year's Annual Budget Referendum Question vote is set for Tues. May 10.

The 2016-17 North Branford Town Budget Public Hearing is set for Tues. April 5, 8 p.m. in the cafeteria at North Branford Intermediate School, 654 Foxon Road.  The proposed budget is available on the Town website and can be viewed here