STAMFORD, CT — Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons on Wednesday presented her proposed fiscal year 2024-2025 capital and operating budgets to the Board of Finance and Board of Representatives Fiscal Committee.
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The total combined city and Stamford Board of Education expense budget and reserve for contingency is $685.4 million, a 5.5 percent increase over the current spending plan.
“The city of Stamford fiscal year 24-25 budget reflects our values as an administration to build a more inclusive, equitable, innovative and vibrant city where everyone can thrive,” Simmons said in her presentation. “This budget prioritizes essential services to enhance quality of life for Stamford residents, with a focus on investment in schools, roads, sidewalks and infrastructure projects, parks, public safety, affordable housing and sustainability initiatives.”
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Cost drivers for the budget include contractual wage increases based on the settled police and fire contracts, and mandated contractural positions at the city’s 911 call center, Simmons said.
There has also been an increase of $1.7 million in grants to community organizations to enhance financial support to agencies serving the homeless population.
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Additionally, insurance expenses are projected to increase by 3.8 percent, driven by a 38 percent increase in property insurance premiums seen nationwide, the mayor said.
The capital budget includes $14.1 million for various infrastructure projects at the city’s public schools, ranging from bathroom repairs at one school to wall and flooring repairs and HVAC improvements at others, along with $700,000 for school security improvements.
Simmons’ capital plan also focuses on projects at Stamford’s parks. There is $4.1 million dedicated for projects and enhancements at Cummings Park, Boccuzzi Park, Scalzi Park, West Beach, Cove, Kosciuszko Park, Susan Nabel at Chestnut Hill Park, Barrett Park and Northrop Park.
On the housing front, $1.75 million is proposed for affordable housing for seniors and homeownership opportunities, Simmons said.
“This funding will specifically support two affordable housing projects, including $750,000 for the housing development fund to create 40 to 50 new family-sized affordable homeownership units, and $1 million to Charter Oak to suppor tthe rehabilitation of Stamford Manor to provide 215 higher quality affordable housing units for seniors and non-elderly disabled individuals,” Simmons added.
Pedestrian safety is another focus, as Stamford continues to deal with pedestrian and motor vehicle collisions.
Simmons said $1.1 million is being put toward roadway improvements on lower Summer Street, bumpouts on the West Side and enhancements at the Bedford/Forest Street intersection.
“We are proposing investing $500,000 to implement the Vision Zero action plan, which includes a number of improvements across the city including things like pedestrian bumpouts, lighting, protected bike lanes and raised crosswalks,” Simmons said.
There is also $1 million included for design and construction match for the Strawberry Hill/Newfield Avenue corridor improvement project. The city has applied for federal and state grants, too.
“This $1 million will help support part of the city’s match for the design and construction of this project, which is really critical because this is one of the most dangerous corridors in our city,” Simmons said.
On sustainability issues, Simmons said $6 million is planne for solar projects at Stamford High School, Westover School, Rogers, Strawberry Hill School, the Yerwood Center and the vehicle maintenance facility on Magee Avenue.
“This furthers our goal of reducing our city’s carbon footprint, but it’s also going to save our energy costs,” Simmons noted.
A little over $1 million is also proposed for electric vehicle charging stations.
Over $3.5 million in capital projects will support police, fire, EMS and the city’s 911 center.
Simmons said there is money in the budget for upgraded police vehicles, command truck upgrades, and police firearms range improvements.
Two new fire trucks are needed, as well as improvements to several fire department buildings. Simmons said there’s money to support the replacement of the Stamford Emergency Medical Services’ Vine Road trailer.
The budget cycle officially kicked off with Simmons’ presentation. The fiscal year 2024-2025 budget schedule in Stamford can be found here.
You can watch Simmons’ budget presentation here.
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