Regular Members:

• Wesley G. Marsh 
• Mark Beninson
• Patrick Hearty
• Thora Perkins-Chairman
• Cheryl Reedy
• Claudia Willard 

Alternate Members:

• Peggy Katkocin
• Greg Williams 
• John J. Arizzi

Suzanne Kloos, Recording Secretary

Board Profile

Board of Finance 

The Board of Finance is the budgetary authority for the town. It consists of six elected regular members and three elected alternates (alternates act on behalf of regular members when they are absent). The Board’s duties and responsibilities are carried out in accordance with Connecticut State Statutes Chapter 106, Sections 7-340:349. In accordance with State Statutes the Board is specifically responsible for:

1. Receiving budget estimates from the Boards of Selectmen and Education to assist in making its final recommendations to the town’s legislative body (taxpayers) for approval at the annual budget referendum
2. Setting the annual property tax rate. (Mill rate)
3. Approving deficiency and special appropriations, and budget transfers between town departments
4. Overseeing the town’s accounting system, policies, and procedures.
5. Selecting and engaging independent auditors and arranging for the annual audit

The Board of Finance is responsible for overseeing the town’s municipal budget, working closely with the Board of Selectmen, finance department and other town departments with budget preparation and monitoring both income and expenses throughout the fiscal year.

During the annual budget process the Board of Finance conducts many budget review meetings, as well as a budget public hearing to provide thorough review and public input on the proposed budgets by the Board of Selectmen and Board of Education. Its significant role is to represent the taxpayer in the budget making process and to make final budget recommendations to the taxpayers for a vote.

Read our Board of Finance Town Tribune column! Vote Like Your Town Depends On it!

The Budget Process – Overview and How you can express your opinions

Overview

When you receive your property tax bill or pay your personal property taxes each year, the town of New Fairfield’s annual budget process is probably not uppermost in your mind. Yet, the budget is the place to find out how your tax dollars are being spent. 

Our town’s budget may seem complex or confusing at first glance and possibly put together so that only a finance expert could understand it. Behind the numbers there are many difficult decisions, trade-offs, and prioritizations to be made. This is because the town is called upon to do much more than before, and financial detail is necessary so those responsible for making budget decisions will have all the necessary information.

The town’s budget is actually comprised of two separate budgets: Municipal (Board of Selectmen) and Education (Board of Education). Both boards must first get their respective budgets approved by the Board of Finance before they can be voted on at the town’s annual budget referendum.

The Boards of Selectmen, Finance, and Education must stay in touch with community needs in order to provide appropriate and responsive municipal and education services. The budget process provides an important avenue for them to solicit taxpayer opinions as to where the town should be spending its money.

What is the budget?

The budget is a plan. It is a financial proposal that annually directs the provision of municipal and education services and facilities. The money collected by the town from property taxes, investments, grants, fees, licenses, permits, and the state is called revenue. The money spent on salaries, materials, and equipment is called expenditures. Revenues and expenditures must be equal in the annual budget. That is what is meant by a balanced budget.

If however, there is a budget surplus (more money collected than spent) at the end of the fiscal year, 100% of the revenue surplus and up to 50% of the expenditure surplus shall be transferred to the unassigned fund balance (the town’s rainy day fund for emergencies). The remaining town and education expenditure surpluses will go for operational and or capital and nonrecurring expenditures for the Town, to be approved at a Town meeting, and for capital and nonrecurring expenditures for the BOE, to be approved by the Board of Finance.

Why do we budget?

As a practical matter, we prepare a budget in order to manage the town’s finances and activities properly. In addition, the town provides services to meet our citizens’ and students’ needs that are paid for with taxpayer and state funds. Usually there is not enough forecasted revenue to provide for all the needs desired, so compromises must be made. The budget process provides a mechanism where elected officials, after hearing the diverse views of the taxpayers, can compromise and reach an agreement on spending priorities.

What is the timeline for the budget process?

Our budget fiscal year begins on July 1st and ends on June 30th. Since the budget must be voted on and approved by the taxpayers before the first Monday in May, the process for the new budget begins much earlier, usually in November. That is when department heads begin formulating their budgets for submission to the town’s selectmen, school superintendent and Board of Education for approval. The Board of Finance’s public hearing and meetings on the budget occur in March and April. Once the Board of Finance approves the budget, it is sent to the voters.

How you can express your opinions

Yes, your opinions matter; please get involved. The most direct means of addressing elected officials is by attending the public hearings that are held beginning in January for the Board of Selectmen and Board of Education and March through April for the Board of Finance. Public notices will appear in the Town Tribune, postings on the town’s Web Site and postings in town hall with dates and times.  All citizens who want to be heard will be heard during the public comment section on all meeting agendas.
Written comments, whether or not you personally attend a hearing, are always accepted. They can be emailed to the various boards on the town’s Web site -http://www.newfairfield.org

Written comments can also be mailed to town hall at 4 Brush Hill Road, New Fairfield to the attention of the Board of Finance

Summary – Your opinion matters and your involvement can help the budget. The Boards of Finance, Selectmen, and Education welcome and encourage public participation at all of their meetings.

 The Board of Finance is made up of six regular members and three alternates. The board usually meets on the 4th Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. in the Senior Community Room.