City Council approves appointments and second reading of $58M budget for FY 2025-2026

The New London City Council convened on May 5, 2025, to discuss several key administrative actions and budgetary matters. The meeting primarily focused on appointments to various city boards and the approval of the city government budget for the fiscal year 2025-2026.

During the meeting, the council appointed Mariana Serrano to the Parking Authority for a five-year term, Barbara Milwaukee to the Pedestrian Advisory Council for a two-year term, and Nancy Cole to the Senior Affairs Commission for a two-year term. These appointments were made without any objections from council members, who praised the candidates as excellent choices.

The council also addressed the city government budget, which totals $58,215,597. The budget includes allocations for various departments, including police protection, housing conservation, and community development. However, the budget faced criticism from Councilor Hart, who expressed concerns about potential overspending and the city's financial management. He highlighted that the city had previously overspent its budget and warned that similar issues could arise again.

In response, President Dominguez defended the budget, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a balanced approach to funding city services while also considering the city's financial health. He noted that the city had successfully avoided dipping into fund balances, which could jeopardize its bond rating and future development.

The council approved the second reading of the budget with a vote of 5-2, with Hart and another councilor voting against it. The discussion also touched on the education budget, which was set at $47,451,526. Concerns were raised about the adequacy of funding for educational needs, particularly regarding contractual obligations for teachers.

The meeting concluded with a commitment from council members to continue monitoring the budget and its implications for city services and education. The council's decisions reflect ongoing efforts to balance fiscal responsibility with the needs of the community.