The Facts on Milford's Tax Increase

As a Democratic member of the Milford Board of Aldermen, I would like to correct certain misinformation regarding taxes and spending. During Mayor Giannatasio’s term, taxes increased 8.8%; 7.3% in his first budget and 1.5% in his second. Spending in the mayor's budget actually increased 14%, while some of this was masked by taking $8.1 million from healthcare reserves. The grand list, the total value of taxable property, also declined by $57 million this year.

Despite these facts, the mayor’s party has blamed Democrats on the Board of Aldermen for raising taxes this year. That is inaccurate. During the budget vote, Democrats acted to protect Milford taxpayers by rejecting reckless last-minute amendments that would have:

• Taken another $1.3 million from the healthcare reserve
• Used $1 million from the general reserve
• Counted $1.7 million in revenue from a contract that is still under negotiation today

The same critics have claimed that bond spending and pension funding from the previous administration caused the tax increase. This is not accurate. Bond payments have remained steady at $20 million each year for the last three years, and pensions were appropriately funded based on actuarial guidance before this administration took office.

These facts are public and can be found in the city’s financial reports, budget documents, and meeting minutes. The record is clear: Democrats did not add a dime of spending to the mayor’s budget.