Mayor Scott Slifka April 28, 2009
Town of West Hartford
50 South Main Street
West Hartford, CT 06107

Dear Mayor Slifka;

The West Hartford Tax Association (WHTA) at our recent meeting voted not to proceed with a budget referendum initiative this year. There may be others in the community who may pursue a referendum independently, as our Town Charter allows for, but we wish to make it clear that that effort is NOT supported by the WHTA.

We realize that the Council and Board of Education were under pressure to reduce expenses and most of the easy cuts have been made. We also understand that the town is experiencing a declining economy and reductions in revenue and money from the State. Early on in this budget cycle, the WHTA suggested a zero budget spending goal. We applaud and thank all who were involved in finding the necessary cuts to reach and surpass that goal by bringing in a budget that had $600,000 less in spending than last year’s. We are also heartened to see the increased level of reporting and transparency provided on the Town website with regard to budget information. We were pleased to see our concerns and suggestions listened to and incorporated into the budget process. We are pleased that this year’s budget is behind us.

However!

The West Hartford Taxpayers Association does not view this year’s budget preparation as a one year effort, but rather as an ongoing project. We are concerned that this year’s intense review of programs and expense reductions may slacken, and we certainly do not wish to see reductions dumped back into the budget next year. Our understanding is that the impacts of the present financial recession will most probably continue for the next year or two. This year’s budget effort must therefore be embraced for future budgets and become the planning philosophy for preparing those budgets. Overall, the budget for our town must be viewed in terms of sustainability, and we must do some serious long range planning. With that in mind we are asking you to start now with the preparation of next year’s budget.

The WHTA offers the following suggestions:

1. The Town Council should affirm its leadership by immediately establishing its 2010-2011 budget goals and policies by formally calling for a Zero (“0”) increase in expenses for the 2010-2011 budget. This vote should be communicated to Town and Board of Education (BOE) employees to assist them in preparing their budgets for the next year.

2. Set up a Taxpayer Advisory Committee to work with the Town negotiating team to review all salary and benefits, prior to and during negotiations. The WHTA is willing to assist negotiators as a resource.

3. Set up a Taxpayer Advisory Committee (a non-partisan team including BOE members) to assist with the preparation of a best practices audit and financial review of the BOE policies and budget. The WHTA is willing to assist and participate on this Advisory Committee.

We look forward to continuing to work positively with you, the Council, BOE and the Town Staff in order to ensure that Taxpayers interests are being addressed.

Sincerely yours;

George Kennedy Judy Aron

President WHTA Vice President WHTA

CC: West Hartford Town Council, Terry Schmitt, Board of Education, Ron Van Winkle, Dr. David Sklarz, West Hartford Life, West Hartford News, Htfd Courant