FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CHICOPEE – Mayor Richard J. Kos today announced the proposed budget for the City of Chicopee, requesting $195,833,669.33 to finance both City and School operations.
The total budget reflects a 3.6% increase [3.587%]. The total budget consists of the school budget, water department, sewer department and general municipal budget. The school budget of $86,438,458.00 has been increased by $4,089,341.00 which reflects a nearly 5% increase from the previous year [4.96585%].
The increase includes a $1,250,000.00 increase that we have added the previous two years, as well as the additional $2 million dollars that we have previously discussed to help address budgetary issues in the school department.
The city’s general fund has been funded at $86,076,623.70 which is an increase of $2,033,088.00 or a 2.4% increase [2.419%]. The water and sewer fund budgets are self-sustaining budgets and reflect funding for the improvements and obligations going forward with an overall increase for water/sewer funds of 2.8% [2.8256%].
Funding for public safety, department of public works, our senior center and parks and recreation, as well as additional municipal departments, will provide and maintain our personnel and services for our city. A portion of the increase to our budget has been the absorption of a 4% increase in our health insurance costs as well as additional charges for our retirement system and collective bargaining.
The City’s budget also includes a line item for School debt of $2,862,872.76, and for School Transportation of $3,796,201.00. Both amounts are outside of Net School Spending.
“With the assistance of the City’s contribution to this year’s school budget, we will be able to address and provide for the educational needs of our students. It is a tight budget but one that works for the School Department,” said Superintendent Rege.
The budget increases were mainly attributed to increased education and health insurance costs.
The City’s budget continues to fully fund the Police and Fire Departments which, because of the continued commitment of the City Council, are at the highest complement of personnel in the City’s history.
“This budget reflects continued efforts in balancing the present and future needs of our City, helping address school department shortfalls, while taking into consideration our ability to pay,” said Mayor Richard Kos. “With the Council’s assistance, we will continue to provide for the level of services that we have come to enjoy in our City while always respecting the taxpayer. I look forward to reviewing this budget with the Council.”
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