Politics & Government

Killingworth Mill Rate Reduced for 2013-2014 Fiscal Year

At a Special Meeting on Monday Night, Killingworth's Board of Finance opted to lower the town's mill rate by a quarter of a mill, from it's current 24.78, to 24.53, for the 2013-2014 fiscal year.


After Killingworth’s 2013-2014 Fiscal Year Budget passed at Referendum this past Saturday, the town’s Board of Finance came together Monday evening to set the corresponding new mill rate. Killingworth’s current mill rate stands at 24.78, and after discussing the options, the Board moved to lower the rate by a quarter mill, to 24.53.

The board debated between leaving the mill rate where it is now, or reducing it by a quarter of a mill. Discussion and concerns were raised, mostly surrounding the lack of certainty in Hartford, according to several members of the Board, and concerns about preparing for that future.

“We need to plan for next year for several reasons,” said John McMahon. “We know there is no way that the Board of Education is going to come in flat next year. And, I have no faith at all in the state of CT and their revenue sharing. We have no idea what they’re doing.”

“The state of Connecticut is going to cut us down at the knees and we don’t know when, and when it happens, we have no way to change it,” continued McMahon. “Hartford is chaos right now and until we have a sense of that, I don’t know if it’s prudent to aim for a reduction. Can we reduce it a bit- yes. Should we reduce it a bit- I don’t know. I’m concerned about our future.”

Gwenne Celmer agreed with McMahon about the uncertainty of the state’s government and exactly what was in store for small towns. Hilary Kumnick agreed that while a large reduction was not prudent, a small one may be feasible.

“I think we need to reduce the Mill rate,” proposed Hilary Kumnick.  “Our ADM went down and we should give it back to the citizens. I want to give it back to the taxpayers.”

“I think it’s a source of pride to this community if we can go down, and the people deserve to have it,” Kumnick continued. “People are still struggling, and while it’s not prudent to aim for a large reduction, I agree, we should reduce it as a gesture of good faith. A quarter of a mill is not a lot, but it is something.”
McMahon agreed that Kumnick made some good points.

“The citizens do deserve this,” said McMahon. “I think the quarter mill reduction is a wise step. It shows good faith on one hand, but we are still saving in anticipation of our uncertain future with state funding; We’re still being fiscally responsible.”

Kumnick brought forward the motion to reduce the mill rate by .25, and the board ultimately agreed on 24.53 as the new mill rate after crunching some numbers.

“There’s a lot of people who contribute to us being able to have this reduction,” concluded McMahon. “This Board tips its hat to those people who are volunteers who save this town money. Folks who give their time to our library or the fire department, or countless other organizations. This reduction is a community effort that they play a large part in making possible.”


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