The Board of Selectman (BOS) and schools have begun the process of taking their departments’ wishlists for the 2018-’19 budget year and converting them into concrete proposals for voters. The numbers are far from final at this point, but as of last week the town was looking at an increase of approximately 3.5 percent, while the Board of Education (BOE) was considering a 6.6 percent spending increase.

At the Jan. 31 BOS meeting, the board combined the town department’s requested spending plans, which resulted in a $18,123,449 budget, a $615,759 or 3.52 percent increase over last year’s approved $17,507,690 budget.

“This is not the end of the conversation,” said First Selectman Christine Goupil, who was joined by her fellow selectmen in cautioning attendees that none of the proposed budgets for the various departments of the town were final.

Goupil attributed the proposed increase to “debt payments, capital projects, contractual obligations, and the reorganization of the technology requirements of the town.

“Also, in this budget is a priority on economic development initiatives and a town planner position. During the process of campaigning in Clinton, the issue on everyone’s mind was getting our economy moving to increase the tax base. In a comparison to similarly sized municipalities around the state, we are lacking in both resources,” Goupil stated. “These changes will shape the way we grow through strategic planning of zoning regulations based on our Town Plan of Conservation and Development and focusing the right kind of development in areas of existing infrastructure.”

The Board of Education (BOE) also got a first look at its budget outlook when Superintendent of Schools Maryann O’Donnell presented her budget proposal to the BOE on Jan. 29. The proposed operations budget was $$33,298,405, a $1,119,969 or 3.48 percent increase over last year.

“The biggest drivers [for the increase] are salaries, benefits, transportation, and tuitions. The budget supports continued investment in our mission and strategic priorities, and does include reductions and adjustments in an attempt to contain cost increases,” O’Donnell said.

With proposed increases in capital (up $476,500 or 162 percent) and increases in debt service (up $668,103 or 34 percent), the total BOE spending package is $36,675,024, a $2,254,572 or 6.6 percent increase from the 2017-’18 budget of $34,420,452

Like Goupil, O’Donnell noted that the proposed budget had not yet been approved.

“At our next meeting, the BOE will discuss any questions and potential adjustments and then make a motion to finalize the BOE budget,” O’Donnell said.

“Preparing a budget is a process that takes place over several months and involves staff, administrators, and BOE members, all of whom take seriously the responsibility to provide a quality education to the children in Clinton in a fiscally responsible manner,” O’Donnell said.

The final 2018-’19 BOE budget is due to be adopted by the BOE on Feb. 5 (after press time) and then will be presented to the BOS and Board of Finance (BOF) for review and possible reduction.

Goupil said that the town will have budget workshops on Tuesday, Feb. 13, Wednesday, Feb. 14, and Wednesday, Feb. 21, before the BOF finalizes the proposed budgets on Monday, March 12.

A public hearing on the combined proposals will be held Wednesday, April 11.

“This is the opportunity for taxpayers to participate in the process. We welcome your comments and recommendations to be submitted at this public hearing. At the end of this [April 11] meeting, the BOF will finalize the budget” that will then go to referendum on Wednesday, May 9, Goupil said.

“It’s a long way before the referendum on May 9. There is significant work to be done before that date,” Goupil said.

Clinton has repeatedly had trouble getting the town and schools budgets passed at the same referendum. Eight times since 2009, the town has required more than one referendum. In 2017, the town required three votes to pass the town budget and two to pass the BOE budget. The town spends between $3,000 and $4,000 per referendum, according to the Town Clerk’s office.