News Story

Rich Kirby, Patch Staff | Posted Sun, May 9, 2021 at 7:49 pm ET| Updated Sun, May 9, 2021 at 7:50 pm ET

Danbury City Council Approves $267M Budget: No Tax Increase

DANBURY, CT — The City Council approved the mayor's 2021-22 budget, which leaves the city's tax rate unchanged for the third straight year.

The lion's share of the $267 million spending plan is earmarked for the schools. The Board of Education will receive $136.9 million, an increase of $1.25 million (0.92 percent) above the current budget. That's less than the 149.6 million the Board had proposed, but the schools will also be enriched by other sources for the 2021-22 school year, including $5.1 million from the Elementary and Secondary School Relief Fund and $38 million under the American Rescue Plan Act.

Most of the spending lines suffered only modest increases, except for "Pension and Other Benefits" where the burn will be going up by 7.11 percent.

In his presentation of the budget, Mayor Joe Cavo said: "The annual funding of education has increased by $55.3 million or 68.5% over the past two decades. I am proud of the accomplishments of our school system and remain confident that the budget increases of the past have set a strong foundation for its continued success."

In a statement following the City Council's narrow vote of approval for the budget, City Councilman and mayoral candidate Roberto Alves said: "We know that the key to a good education and a prosperous future starts with adequate funding. We also know that good schools pave the way for a vibrant local economy, good jobs, and higher property values. We've seen the ripple effects when we don't adequately fund our schools and local infrastructure. If Danbury wants to become a regional economic driver, we have to invest in our city, from our classrooms to our roads, from our bridges to our storm drains."