Even with a budget increase, Griswold departments are facing cuts: where will it hit hardest?

Griswold must recoup $600,000 from surplus for not increasing the mill rate last year.

“We took money from another source that’s not a bona fide, year-after-year revenue stream,” Board of Finance Chair Scott Davis said. “We’ve got to make that up.”

A public budget hearing was held at Griswold Middle School Tuesday. The draft fiscal 2025 budget is $42.234 million, a 4.45% increase from the current year’s budget of $40.433 million.

If the budget passes as is, including $150,000 from surplus, it means a 1.5 mill rate increase. This translates to a $225 tax increase for a $150,000 house, $300 for a $200,000 house, and $375 for a $300,000 house, Davis said.

Every department affected by cuts

Even with the mill rate increase, town departments will be forced to make cuts to balance the budget.

“No department was spared,” from budget cuts, including education, capital expenditures and general government, Davis said.

“We’re trying to balance affordability with the needs of the community,” he said.

The other budget challenge is debt from the town’s new multipurpose field, Davis said.

More: Which town employee earned the most? Here are the Griswold salaries for fiscal 2023

Recreation

During public comment, about 20 residents spoke in support for the Parks and Recreation Department. Draft budget cuts include reducing Assistant Director Phillip Michel’s pay from $36,824 to $22,969.

Muhammodu Giwa was among those who supported the Recreation Department. It gives kids far better opportunities than he had growing up in Providence, RI, he siad. After the meeting, Giwa wasn’t surprised by the response.

“I’ve seen the things on social media,” he said. “I see the effects of the events in the community.”

Davis also wasn’t surprised. The Board of Finance crafted cuts into the budget before the public hearing so they can revisit the items most important to the community, he said.

Michel and Recreation Director Ryan Aubin also advocated for their department. Other residents commented on the hard work Michel and Aubin put in, and the positive impact recreation has on children and families in town.

Michel reminded the Board of Finance that the goal of Parks & Recreation and Youth and Family Services isn't to be a revenue source, but to serve the community. Recreation serves the town through summer camp, organizing parades, and in numerous other ways, he said.

"What is a town without happenings, without distinct communal experiences," he said.

Michel couldn’t stay for the whole meeting, as he was the scoreboard operator for the men’s basketball league game down the hall. He’s worked in his current role for seven months, but he’s worked for the department in one form or another since 2015, he said.

If the cuts would go through, Michel is worried he’d lose his insurance, and would have to consider finding work elsewhere, he said.

Michel wasn’t used to the attention, but it’s good that people support the assistant director position, and he hopes the Board of Finance will consider the public’s opinion, he said.

“Regardless of who holds it, it’s an important position,” Michel said.

Other budget concerns

Board of Education Chair Mary Beth Malin is fine with the cut from request from $32.2 million to $31.8 million, but urged the Board of Finance to cut no further, she said.

Residents also raised concerns for road repairs, the tax burden on seniors, and supporting emergency services with the right equipment.

What’s next

The Board of Finance will meet again Thursday to finalize the budget. It will then be forwarded to the Board of Selectmen. The budget will be discussed again at a town meeting on May 21 or 22 and voted on during a referendum. The tentative referendum date is June 4, Davis said.

This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Even with a budget increase, Griswold departments are facing cuts: where will it hit hardest?