Groton ― City Mayor Keith Hedrick has presented a proposed 2024-25 budget totaling $19,833,651, an increase of $745,951, or 3.9%, over the current budget.

The spending plan would lead to a tax rate increase of 0.24 mills, raising the rate to 3.91 mills.

Hedrick said the budget increase is primarily due to salary increases and higher costs due to inflation. He said no personnel were cut, and services will continue to be provided.

In his budget message to the City Council on Monday, Hedrick called the proposal “a continuation-of-services budget that considers changes in the economic climate.”

He said the proposed budget, like the current budget, provides funding for capital projects and sets aside funding for the future purchase of vehicles.

He said the proposal calls for using $1.9 million of the city’s undesignated fund balance, which would still leave the city with a healthy reserve.

“The city continues to be fiscally responsible,” he said.

Hedrick said the proposal’s exact impact on taxes will be determined after the grand list of taxable property is completed following the Board of Assessment Appeals process.

The City Council will begin reviewing the budget proposal department by department over a series of meetings, starting with a Special Committee of the Whole meeting at 6 p.m. Monday to review Parks & Recreation, the mayor’s office and the fire department.

A public hearing will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 15, according to the budget schedule. A meeting will be held on May 20 for the council to approve the budget.

The budget will then go for a vote at the annual budget meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, June 3.

All meetings will be held in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building and via Zoom.

The budget proposal is available online at: https://cityofgroton.com/DocumentCenter/View/1793/Proposed-Budget-Fiscal-Year-2024-2025-PDF

k.drelich@theday.com