Hebron Dollars & Sense

Issue #25:  Even more bad news for Hebron taxpayers. If the current proposed budget of a 1.24 mill rate increase to 29.41 mills passes, this means, on average, your taxes have increased $647.85 since FY 2007-08.

We have calculated the latest data based on the budget presented at the March 4^th Board of Selectmen’s meeting.  You can also find the “Tax Comparison” spreadsheet on the Documents Tab.

Issue #24:  All of us need to respect the budget process, and respect the people we elected to office who give their valuable time and skills to the community. We also ALL need to play by the same rules so that Hebron taxpayers can make an informed decision on Tuesday, May 4, 2010 – Referendum Day.

The various budget meetings, which are occurring every Tuesday and Thursday throughout the month of March, are posted on the Town of Hebron website, http://www.hebronct.com/pdfs/calendar.pdf.  The detail of each meeting isn’t posted there, but you can find it on page 29 of the Hebron Town budget, which is located on our Documents Tab, or you can download it yourself at http://www.hebronct.com/pdfs/finance_section/assessment3.pdf.

Issue #23:  We need to understand the RHAM Budget and the implications of how Hebron sending more students to RHAM next year impacts Hebron taxpayers, but not Andover or Marlborough taxpayers.

This question was asked on a forum, and we responded with the data.  We decided that it should be an actual budget issue to make sure that everyone knows and understands what is going on with the currently proposed 5.58% RHAM budget increase for Hebron taxpayers.

The RHAM budget is indeed complicated, especially for Hebron taxpayers.

Issue #22:  There is more bad news on the economic front from OPM for Hebron, Marlborough and Andover residents.

Bill Generous of Windsor has uncovered the latest state data in the “Municipal Fiscal Indicators” document released in very late November 2009.  This official state data is shocking and disturbing.

It is a 273 page document, and can be found on our “Documents” tab.  The news is not good for towns in the Region 8 district.  We waded through the document to extract relevant information for Hebron, Marlborough and Andover residents.

We have created a new "Documents" Tab on the home page.  It is the last tab, on the far right.

Tonight, we have added the latest CCM (Connecticut Conference of Municipalities) data on "Equalized Mill Rates."  As you can see, of Connecticut's 169 Municipalities, Hebron holds the #31 spot of highest equalized mill rates in the state.

An "equalized mill rate" takes into account grand lists.  For example, while shoreline towns may have a lower mill rate, their property values are higher, so they might easily pay more taxes than we do with our higher mill rate.  Also notice in the CCM data Hebron's average per capita income:  $30,937.  It's about in the middle when compared to the other 169 municipalities.

Translation? We have one of the lower per capita incomes, but one of the highest mill rates in Connecticut.  This information, coupled with Bill Generous' analysis of Connecticut taxes, puts us in a deeper hole than most other Connecticut communities.

We've also included the state's official data (slightly older) on equalized mill rates.  For FY 2005-06, Hebron held the #32 position (you have to use the Sort feature in Excel to see this.)  Translation? We're moving UP the scale on equalized mill rates.  Our taxes are growing at a higher rate than other communities.  this is consistent with Bill Generous' data.

Check the "Documents" Tab frequently for new data.