Mayor Submits 2007-2008 Budget to Aldermen

(3/3/2007)

John DeStefano, Jr. City Of New Haven

Mayor PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Thursday, March 1, 2007

-NEWS RELEASE-

MAYOR DESTEFANO SUBMITS FY2007-2008 CITY BUDGET TO BOARD OF ALDERMEN

INCREASE IN SERVICE LEVELS, DROP IN THE MILL RATE AND SENIOR PROPERTY TAX FREEZE HIGHLIGHTS OF BUDGET

NEW HAVEN- Mayor John DeStefano, Jr. announced today that the New Haven City Budget and Tax Levy for Fiscal Year 2007-2008 he is submitted to the Board of Aldermen includes a commitment to stepping up community policing, protecting core services and education, a property tax freeze for seniors and a phase-in of the state-mandated revaluation that will lower the mill rate. He spoke about the details of the budget at a noon press conference.

“I am proud the submit this budget which adds 14 new police officers, re-organizes our youth services into a new Department of Youth, and protects core education and general government services,” said Mayor DeStefano. “This budget will continue New Haven’s progress while being fiscally responsible to our taxpayers.”

Highlights of the Budget include:

• Increase in the sworn strength of the Police Department to 495, an all-time high.

• A new Fire Department recruit class

• A new Youth Department to consolidate and coordinate City youth services, including nine Open Schools, the new Mentoring Initiative, and an increase in summer jobs

• A $5m increase to the Board of Education, and funding for two new schools

• Funds for park, playground and library improvements

The proposed budget totals $445.2 million, and:

• Freezes property taxes for all senior households

• Implements a five-year phase in of the 2006 state-mandated property revaluation

• Reduces the mill rate from 44.85 to 43.29

Residents can also go to www.cityofnewhavenct.net starting tomorrow, where an online “tax calculator” will do calculation their tax bill based on the new assessment values.

“Our senior property tax freeze will give relief New Haven’s most vulnerable taxpayers, and the phase-in of the state-mandated property revaluation will provide substantial protection for all taxpayers,” said Mayor DeStefano.

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