Bifurcation: Ready to Vote on Two Budgets?

On April 23, are you ready to vote on the 2013-14 town and education budget separately? This year, voters will see a bifurcated budget, allowing approval or rejection of each budget individually, as well as whether the sums are "too low."

The requested budget amounts are $39,054,521 on the town side and $72,095,304 on the education side for a total of $111,149,825. (See attached PDF for the ballot.)

"For the first time in decades, Newtown voters will have the opportunity to determine an up or down vote on the municipal budget and educational budget as separate components of the larger budget," said First Selectman Pat Llodra. "It is hoped that the vote tallies, each specific to the part of the budget being acted on, will be instructive as to the sentiments of the voters on the spending plan for town services and for K-12 education services."

Legislative Council member Mary Ann Jacob said it's important voters know that if one side of the budget passes and another fails, funds can't be moved from one side to the other to compensate.

"Voters now have the opportunity to express their opinion on what should be done with the budget should it fail," she said. "It's important for all voters to take the time to answer the advisory questions for that reason, regardless of how they vote."

Last November, voters overwhelmingly supported the change to the town's charter to allow bifurcation after last year's budget took five tries to pass.

"The people wanted the bifurcated budget," said Legislative Council member George Ferguson. "We'll find out soon enough if the bifurcated budget and attendant advisory questions are a help or a hindrance. I hope they help."

Finance Director Robert Tait said the budget would result in a 5.24% tax increase for the town. The proposed mill rate is 33.7.

• Where: Newtown Middle School
• When: Tuesday, April 23, between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m.
• More on the town budget
• More on the education budget