New Britain Facing Budget Gap
The common council needs to close a $4 million hole
The New Britain Common Council is going back to the drawing board to fill a $4 million budget gap.
This comes after the council voted down a controversial plan to require outside landlords to pay a fee. That proposal would have generated the $4 million the city needed, according to the mayor's office.
"The mayor wasn't a fan of the proposals he put before the council, but you can't simultaneously pay for services and not find a way to pay for them," Phil Sherwood, Mayor Tim O'Brien's communications director, said.
If the council can't fill the gap, funding for services like the public library, The New Britain Youth Museum and Camp Total Rec could be slashed. The council could also re-examine the amount of police officers that are expected to be hired. The department hoped to hire at least 40 new officers.
"The mayor and council are working closely," Sherwood said. "The mayor wants to save these programs and preserve any cuts."
Alderman Wilfredo Pabon said he's not sure yet how and where the council will find the money, but he knows it will hurt.
"If we have to cut, cut," Pabon said. "We just have to sit down and iron it out."
Earlier this year, the council cut $13 million from the budget and consolidated 22 departments down to 6.
New Britain residents hope there is no more pain.
"Downsizing, cutting services - it's not good," one resident said.
At this point in the year, the city cannot raise the mill rate.
