Vernon 2012-13 Budget Meetings to Kick Off on Thursday

The Town Council has its first special meeting devoted to the proposed budget for the 2012-13 fiscal year scheduled for Thursday. 

Mayor George Apel has submitted an $81,346,432 budget to the Town Council for 2012-13, an increase of $2,052,683 over the current year's spending plan. Education accounts for $48,400,997 of that total.

The budget carries a proposed mill rate increase from its current level of 29.90 to 34.05. A mill is equal to $1 for every $1,000 of assessed property value.

Here is a breakdown of the budget meeting slate for this week:

Thursday, March 22, 6:30 p.m., Town Hall

• Superintendent of Schools Mary Conway is scheduled to make a presentation  relative to Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's education initiative and its impact on Vernon.

Thursday, March 22, 7:30 p.m., Town Hall

• Citizens Forum.

• Presentation of the budget by Mayor George Apel and and Finance Officer and Treasurer James Luddecke.

• Budget review:

1. Education.
2. Capital improvements - education.
3. Water Pollution Control Authority.
4. Waste Treatment plant.
5. Housing Authority sewer subsidy.
6. Building inspection.
7. Revenue.

Saturday, March 24, 9 a.m., Town Hall

• Public hearing.
• Budget updates.
• Budget review:

1. Data processing center.
2. Data processing.
3. Social services.
4. Visiting Nurse and Health Services of Connecticut.
5. Hockanum Valley Community Council.
6. Child Guidance Clinic.
7. Exchange Club - child abuse prevention.
8. Tri-County ARC.
9. MARC.
10. Shelter services.
11. Connecticut Legal Services.
12. Hartford Interval House.
13. YWCA sexual assault services.
14. Hockanum Valley School Readiness.
15. Rockville Public Library.
16. Historical Society.
17. North Central Health District.
18. Greater Hartford Transit District.
19. Arts Commission.
20. Youth Services.
21. Senior Center.
22. Animal Control.
23. Dog license account.
24. Engineering.
25. Cemetery Operations.
26. Vernon Cemetery Commission.
27. Executive and administration.
28. Law.

Special budget meetings are also scheduled for March 28, April 4 and April 9.

The annual budget meeting is scheduled for April 24 at 7 p.m. at Rockville High School.