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Community Corner

BETHEL'S ANNUAL BUDGET PROCESS IS A TIME OF POLITICAL SCHIZOPHRENIA


Bethel's annual budget process is currently in progress and as usual, it is a time of acute political schizophrenia.

Though voters have been assured that the interests of our declining student population is the first priority, the budget reveals that the greatest beneficiaries of increases are the 15.4 school administrators that will divvy up some $38,000 in direct salary raises. This doesn't include the costs of expensive  of medical benefits.

With administrators' salaries averaging $142,000 annually, the average pay increase is approximately $2400 per administrator.

These increases are completely out of line considering  the sorry state of the private sector, and certainly bears no relationship to the mantra that Bethel students are the prime beneficiaries of the $40 million proposed school budget.

Find out what's happening in Bethelwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

While the crushing weight of Bethel's nearly $70 million in proposed annual spending will result in a nearly 3% tax hike on struggling local businesses, taxpayers are funding the Economic Development and Economic Outreach Commissions to stimulate the local business environment. The proposed 32.4 mill rate on every $1,000 of assessed property will have a negative impact on businesses; authentic economic development requires halting  tax increases on Bethel's business sector.

 Proponents of increased government spending often cite the need for "shared sacrifice" and the responsibility to pay one's "fair share.” Just where is the shared sacrifice when nearly everyone fortunate enough to have a taxpayer-funded job is receiving both annual pay raises AND unparalleled job security?

Find out what's happening in Bethelwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Finally, while the Office of First Selectman may be justified in increasing the current $79,000 annual salary, now is not the time for a $4,700 (5.9%) adjustment. Spending restraint needs to start at the top in order to serve an as example for the rest of government.

Treat the schizophrenia! Vote No – Too High  Thursday, May 15th.

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