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Southington council questions how $833,000 in state education aid was handled in budget
Summary
Councilmembers pressed town officials about whether a roughly $833,000 state payment for education was accounted for when the mill rate was set; the town manager said the funds were not budgeted and proposed a one-time appropriation from surplus if the council wishes to allocate the money to the Board of Education.
Southington — Councilmembers at the town’s special meeting on July 13 pressed town officials about how a roughly $833,000 state payment intended for education was reflected in the municipal budget and whether the mill rate was calculated correctly.
Councilmember Chris asked whether the $833,000 (also referenced during the meeting as $834,000) was “accounted for properly when the mill rate was set,” noting board-of-finance discussions about how to make up the amount if it was not included. He said residents had asked how the town would make up the funds and whether the mill rate calculation had left a shortfall.
Town Manager Alex Riccardone responded that the state payment was never included in the adopted budget. “The 834 was never budgeted for,” he said, and outlined three options for moving the funds to the Board of Education: artificially raising the mill rate (which the board of finance voted down), taking the money from the undesignated general fund balance, or making a one‑time appropriation from an audit‑reported surplus. Riccardone said the town’s recent audit showed an approximate surplus of $2,455,000 for the fiscal year that ended July 1, 2025, and recommended a one‑time appropriation if the council chooses to provide the funds to the Board of Education.
Chair Paul reiterated the separation of roles between the council and the Board of Finance, explaining the council voted on budget totals while the Board of Finance sets the mill rate. “If the board of finance didn’t like the way [the mill rate] was calculated, they could have taken action,” Paul said, adding that the spreadsheet used to set the mill rate was distributed to council members and to the board.
Councilmember Dave said the Board of Finance had cut the Board of Education budget by about $833,000 knowing the town expected state funding; he warned that adding the state amount as recurring revenue could create a fiscal cliff when that one‑year payment disappears. Other councilmembers said the Board of Finance is still reviewing the matter and that discussion will continue at their meeting, with the council to follow up.
No formal vote or appropriation occurred at the July 13 meeting. The issue remains under review by the Board of Finance, which has authority to set the mill rate and to consider transfers or appropriations after the council’s budget vote.
