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Avon Council reviews $116.3 million FY2024-25 budget; tax increase revised after revaluation
Summary
The Avon Town Council reviewed the Town Manager's recommended $116.26 million FY2024-25 spending plan, discussed department requests and capital projects, and learned the finalized Grand List reduced the projected tax increase to 3.3%.
The Avon Town Council on Feb. 10 reviewed the Town Manager's recommended FY2024-25 budget, a $116.26 million spending plan that the manager said "reflects a 3.74% tax increase," then learned final Grand List numbers adjusted that projection downward to 3.3%.
The manager and Finance Director Tom DiStasio outlined major cost drivers: wage and salary increases, a rise in defined-benefit pension contributions, higher medical insurance costs and increased computer/IT spending. Councilors were shown a budget summary that includes $72.28 million for education and a $6.68 million capital improvement program that rises sharply from the prior year.
Department presentations highlighted several specific requests and pressures. Library Director Glenn Grube asked to convert a part-time Library Technical Assistant to full time because of increased cataloging and circulation work; he said the salary difference (not counting benefits) is about $24,600 ($29,700 part-time versus $54,300 full-time) and noted the Town paid roughly $172,000 of $188,089 in 2022-23 collection expenses. Public Works Director Bruce Williams said the town spent "over $1 million" on pavement management this year and explained that mill-and-pave is outsourced while DPW performs prep work and maintenance. Fire Chief Bruce Appell outlined the Avon Volunteer Fire Department's FY25 request, noting the department plans recruitment events and a long lead time for apparatus replacement.
On capital and fund changes, Councilors asked that Fisher Meadows JV Softball Field ($163,000) and the Fisher Meadows batting cage ($19,000) be moved to Special Revenue Fund 12, reduced the AHS partial roof replacement request by $125,000, and removed a proposed $50,000 Animal Control vehicle from APRA projects with those funds redirected to paving. Council also increased the Community Activities Grant to $20,000.
DiStasio told the Council the Assessor's finalized revaluation increased the Grand List by about 19.67%, which lowered the projected tax-rate impact from the earlier figure; Council asked the Town Manager to present adjustment options at the March 7 meeting to bring the tax increase to 3.25% or 3.0%.
The meeting concluded with public questions about mosquito nuisance at Fisher Meadows and how police overtime is distributed. The Council adjourned at 1:57 p.m.
