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Whaley Avenue Special Services District Seeks to Keep Mill Rate Unchanged, Proposes Lighting and Safety Projects
Summary
Alan Collum, director of the Whaley Avenue Special Services District, presented the district's FY26 budget to the New Haven Board of Alders Finance Committee and asked the committee to support keeping the mill rate at 2.34 while funding lighting, security and streetscape work.
Alan Collum, director of the Whaley Avenue Special Services District, told the New Haven Board of Alders Finance Committee that his district intends to keep its mill rate the same for fiscal 2026 and asked the committee for support of the proposed budget.
Collum said the district's treasurer prepared budget documents showing a minor FY25 adjustment and a proposed FY26 annual budget. "What we are proposing is to remain with the same bill that we do often ... of 2.34," he said, and added the district did not feel a rate increase was necessary at this time.
The district outlined several near-term projects that would be funded from existing balances rather than a millage increase. Collum said the district has obtained operational help from the city's public-works/web team (which has supplied a truck to help with trash and watering) and plans targeted lighting work on Bailey Avenue to address poor nighttime illumination. "Lighting's always been an issue on Bailey Avenue," he said, noting past traffic fatalities and saying the district is exploring tree and pole lighting and additional security measures.
Collum described collaboration with city staff (he named Malachi as a collaborator) and said the district held a stakeholder meeting at which property owners voted unanimously to keep the current mill rate. He also raised a commercial vacancy issue after Walgreens chose to leave a parcel while continuing to pay lease obligations, and identified other nuisance businesses the district is trying to manage.
No formal vote was recorded at the Finance Committee; Collum asked for the committee's approval and support. Committee members asked clarifying questions about commercial vacancy rates and nuisance businesses; Collum said the district is coordinating with city economic development staff on tenant recruitment and with the police and code staff on nuisance issues.
The district's next step is to secure committee support for the FY26 budget as presented and to continue coordination with city departments on lighting, security and vacancy remediation.
