The official setting of the tax rate, a tax incentive proposed for Downtown development and $75,000 settlement of a lawsuit brought by the former Health Director Marian Evans highlight agenda items for the City Council meeting Monday (tonight) at 7 p.m. in City Hall, 45 Lyon Terrace. The council, as a formality, will set the city’s mil rate at 42.198, a smidgeon higher than the current 41.855, an average tax increase of $54 on homeowners and $135 for commercial property. The new budget year starts July 1.
Council agenda:
COMMUNICATIONS TO BE REFERRED TO COMMITTEES:
Communication from Mayor re: Appointment of Tania Mayen (D) to the Harbor Commission, referred to Miscellaneous Matters Committee.
Communication from Central Grants re: Grant Submission: KaBOOM! Community Partner Playground Program, referred to Economic and Community Development and Environment Committee.
Communication from Labor Relations and Benefits Administration re: Proposed Professional Services Agreement with Behavioral Health Consultants, LLC for EAP Services, referred to Contracts Committee.
Communication from Labor Relations and Benefits Administration re: Proposed Agreement with PMA Management Corporation of New England (PMAMCNE) for Third Party Claims Administrative Services Pertaining to the Workers’ Compensation Program for the City and Board of Education, referred to Contracts Committee.
Communication from Central Grants re: Grant Submission: FY 2012 U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency Port Security City of Stamford Grant Subrecipient Agreement, referred to Public Safety and Transportation Committee.
Communication from Central Grants re: Grant Submission: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency Port Security Grant Program, referred to Public Safety and Transportation Committee.
Communication from Central Grants re: Grant Submission: State of Connecticut Department of Emergency Services & Public Protection, Division of Emergency and Homeland Security State Homeland Security Grant Program, referred to Public Safety and Transportation Committee.
Communication from Superintendent of Schools re: Grant Submission: Proposed Resolution for the Creation of a Replacement Roofing Project at Thomas Hooker School, referred to Education and Social Services Committee
Communication from Mayor re: Appointment of Rosa J. Correa (R) to the Planning & Zoning Commission, referred to Miscellaneous Matters Committee.
Communication from Finance Department re: Proposed Professional Services Agreement with Blum Shapiro Consulting, LLC for the Purpose of Conducting an Examination of the City’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Statements, referred to Contracts Committee.
Communication from OPED re: Proposed Resolution Authorizing a Tax Incentive Development Agreement for the Security Building in Downtown North, referred to Economic and Community Development and Environment Committee.
ITEMS FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION:
Communication from Mayor re: Setting of the Mill Rate for Fiscal Year 2014-2015 FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION
Resolution presented by Council Members Martinez and Feliciano re: Proposed Request for the Installation of Two Signs designating “15 Minute Parking” Adjacent to 1001 East Main Street, referred to Board of Police Commissioners.
Resolution presented by Council Members Martinez and Feliciano re:Proposed Request to designate Pleasant Street as a “One Way Street” With Appropriate Signage placed at the Entrance of Street, referred to Board of Police Commissioners.
MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON (CONSENT CALENDAR):
Economic and Community Development and Environment Committee Report re: Public Hearing Ordered for June 16, 2014: re Disposition of City-Owned Property Located at 38 Luther Street.
Economic and Community Development and Environment Committee Report re: Grant Submission: State of Connecticut Department of Transportation for Dial-A-Ride Municipal Matching Grant Program for the Elderly.
Economic and Community Development and Environment Committee Report re: Grant Submission: FY 2013 Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for Public Health Program.
Economic and Community Development and Environment Committee Report re: 2014 Neighborhood Assistance Act.
Economic and Community Development and Environment Committee Report re: Public Hearing Ordered for June 16, 2014: re Disposition of City-Owned Property Located at 63 Waldorf Avenue to Habitat for Humanity.
Economic and Community Development and Environment Committee Report re: Grant Submission: State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services for Tobacco Retailer Education and Inspection Program.
Miscellaneous Matters Committee Report re: Settlement of Pending Litigation with Marian Evans.
Miscellaneous Matters Committee Report re: Appointment of Maura Crossin (D) to the Port Authority Commission.
Education and Social Services Committee Report re: Grant Submission: State of Connecticut Department of Education for 2014 Early Childhood Bond Funds.
How come we haven’t heard about the proposed tax cut in Ansonia? Their May meeting has passed. But taxes are rising everywhere, including Bridgeport.
That’s why it’s significant when the Bridgeport Police Department makes a cold-case arrest. Congratulations, BPD.
www .courant.com/community/bridgeport/hc-bridgeport-cold-case-murder-0509-20140508,0,834347.story <–quick read.
“Communication from Finance Department re: Proposed Professional Services Agreement with Blum Shapiro Consulting, LLC for the Purpose of Conducting an Examination of the City’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Statements, referred to Contracts Committee.”
Can anyone tell us what this is about? The Finch Administration secured the services of BS (Blum Shapiro) early on and have used them for the CAFR (Comprehensive Annual Financial Report) since. This may be their Consulting Department rather than their auditing section but before we go about hiring a consultant, especially one that is performing our audit, might there be some good sharing of the problems or the opportunities that will be explored? Also, when will the public be exposed to the results we are spending precious funds upon?
Five or six years ago when I first became interested in City finances, I called Blum Shapiro. The auditors were hostile to my questions and told me to check with the City first. Of course I had done that first and thus became aware of the truly closed loop of professional info regarding our fiscal status. Was there an RFP or RFQ on this matter already? In recent attendance at the Budget and Appropriations group I did not hear anything mentioned. Perhaps I am hard of hearing? Time will tell.
If the services personally received are on a grand scale and performed well, perhaps the cost of services seems reasonable or even plain fair.
However when it comes to municipal services in Bridgeport, those who pay greater than average taxes are likely not the folks getting the larger than average services. So when you look at the numbers from year to year, the amount of the semi annual tax payment and its trend from the years before are the most important and readily understood “facts.” Most folks stop right there, unfortunately.
However, if there were a City “dashboard” that annually showed the amounts of Taxable Property on the Net Grand List, that would be a valuable trend to observe for it would show the effect of successful economic development (or not). And the amount of the Operating budget coming from fees, fines, property taxes, etc. paid locally would show how the Mil Rate has been applied to the Grand list to come up with an individual property tax payment.
Mil Rate is least important but readily remembered by citizens. Property valuation and size and trend of City budget (under control of the Mayor and cooperating City Council) are the other factors, and it is no surprise many people have no idea of their assessment/valuation or how that remembered mil rate interacts with that to produce their increasing tax responsibility. Why the low level of information? Time will tell.
I just read an essay by Mayor Bill Finch in celebration of JFK on what would have been his 97th birthday, had he lived.
Bill was very excited about his own leadership efforts here in Bridgeport. As a matter of fact, after patting himself on the back for the “greenness” of this City, hundreds of jobs, etc., he went on to sing the praises of Steelpointe and forecast $18 Million of taxes when “it” was built out. Now that is the first time I had seen such a number and I have no clue as to how it was calculated or how many years it will take to get there. (Of course when a revaluation does occur, if the mil rate doubles we can get to $18 Million in half the time!!!)
If Bill can tell such a story, he can probably provide the data behind the prediction, right? Time will tell.
Bill Finch is doing what mayors in Bridgeport have been doing about Steel Point for the past 27 years, he is lying.
Steel Point has not put any money in the city coffers. Has it put money in the pockets of various people in Bridgeport? Bet on it.
Steel Point is so sad it’s almost funny, dreams of luxury hotels, fancy stores, fancy condos, ALL PURE BULLSHIT.
What is going to end up at Steel Point are the big-box stores, wait and see.
JML made an important point. The mayor can spout any drivel he wishes. There is no public access to a scorecard that tracks the progress of these wonderful economic development projects. Most tax revenue from Steel Point will go to pay the bonds used to fund it at the State level. Maybe the crackerjack financial experts on the city council budget committee are planning to incorporate such a scorecard in the monthly financial report. Hope springs eternal.