GOP Progress Report

 

TAMED Property Taxes! Low Taxes

Responsible for one of the lowest tax increases in 25 years (1.1%) for 2014-2015 !
• Responsible NO tax increase (0%) for 2015-2016 ! (The only Town in CT to boast that accomplishment.)

Low tax increases all while meeting town needs for ...

  • Public Safety
  • The school system, one of the best in Connecticut (and the USA)
  • Municipal services
  • Recreation programs, including programs for Seniors
  • Funding Pension and Post Employement Benefit obligations
  • Long overdue/deferred maintenance to school and municipal buildings
  • Stormwater relief in Meadowbrook Manor

 SAVED The Town of Brookfield $3.6 Million by: Smart Measures

  • Refinancing existing long term debt
  • Leveling School Spending Commensurate with Declining Student Enrollment & Teacher retirement incentive.
  • Reducing Employee Health Insurance Costs by Converting to a Self-Insured Plan
    • Saved $2 million in first two years
    • Built a reserve for excess claims protection 

Worked Hard for You Bringing in $ millions in Grant Funds Increasing Quality of Life: Grant Funding

INCREASED Brookfield Tax Revenues $1.7 Million by: Increased Tax Base

  • Implement an innovative “Jumpstart” Economic Growth Initiative to secure a $66M increase in taxable property from new development
  • Created a new Developer Tax Incentive Policy including codifying this in a Town Ordinance. 
  • Implemented a new Development Services Team with a new Economic Development Commission Website
  • Monthly meeting help coordinate the Planning, Zoning, Wetlands, Building, & WPCA departments into a unified business friendly culture

IMPROVED Community Quality of Life in Brookfield by: Life Quality

  • Completing Cardigan Park Construction – On Time & On Budget !
  • Town Park/Beach – Construction Started in December 2014. Completed 8 months later in July 2015
  • Forging Ahead with the Still River Greenway Project – Funding Proposed & Approved
  • Created the First Successful "Rediscover the 4 Corners" Annual Block Party
  • Engineering Plans approved for flood prevention in Meadowbrook Manor (Grant award pending)
  • Completed Southern Federal Road Water Line – Under Budget !
  • Took the initiative to form the Safety/Security Task Group.

INTEGRITY RESTORED - UNCOVERED & RESOLVED Serious Issues from Prior Administration(s): Integrity Applied

  • $1.2 Million in illegal school overspending and illegal use of town fund balance
  • (Alleged theft of School resources is being promulgated through the courts by State procecutors)
  • $235,000 in unauthorized town contractual obligations
  • Unmet Insurance coverage obligations
  • Unmonitored Town Credit Card purchasing (NO pre-purchase approval) has ceased.
  • Purchasing system is replaced with a Monitored Town-Wide Purchase Order/Process System (REQUIRED pre-purchase approval)
  • Monitored Town-Wide Purchase Order/Process System (REQUIRED pre-purchase approval).
  • Still working to unify accounting systems so schools and town are using the same software for efficiency and ease of reporting.

 INTEGRITY ASSURED - Proposed and Implemented Important Governance and Management ChangesGood Management

  • Charter revision - Bifricated budget referendum separating Town and Education budget votes
  • Policies
    • Expense reimbursement policy
    • Town vehicle use policy
    • Debt management policy
    • Fund Balance policy (In Progress)
  • Ordinances
    • Business Investment Incentive - Assessment Increase Deferral (To assist businesses new and expanding)
    • OPEB Trust establishment 
    • Blighted building and properties (updated)
    • Salons and Spas (Updated)
    • Noise (update in progress)
  • Participated in implementation of regional planning agencies.
  • Plan of Conservation and Development Updated in 2015 (Last issued in 2002 (Was due in 2012))
  • Housing Study - Completed 2014
  • Southern Federal Road Improvment Plan completed

Brookfield RTC – REAL Results & Leadership for Brookfield! 

This is missed since the GOP has been out of the First Selectman office. 

 

CONTACT INFO

P.O. Box 5154
Brookfield, CT 06804-5154

e : information@brookfieldgop.com

fb: Brookfield Republicans

t : @brookfieldgop