Middletown Budget "Lowest Increase In A Decade'

Middletown residents and council members praised the proposed 2013-14 budget during a hearing on Wednesday night - the budget represents the lowest increase in the town in more than 10 years.

Despite minimal increases comparative to nearby towns, Town Administrator Shawn Brown applauded the town's efforts to cut spending while maintaining a focus on addressing capital improvement and public infrastructure needs with a long-term project list.

"One of the bigger challenges in the town other than the economy has been addressing public infrastructure projects," said Brown. "There are simply more projects than we can afford."

Over the next five years the town will continue to contribute $200,000 to a capital improvement fund in order to address infrastructure needs on a pay-as-you-go basis and avoid paying the interest associated with borrowing.

The 2013-14 proposed budget will cost taxpayers $927,654 more next year, if approved.

"This budget represents a 1.6 percent increase, which is the lowest increase in the county, if not the state and the lowest increase in the town in a decade," said council President Christopher T. Semonelli.

Taxpayers will see a 1.56 percent increase in property tax rates for a total cost of $15.64 per $1,000 of assessed value. For a homeowner whose property is worth $200,000, this will cost an additional $48.

The Middletown Town Council will conduct a second public hearing on Wednesday, May 29 at 6 p.m. at the Town Hall before final adoption of the 2013-14 budget.