The proposed FY 2005 Financial Plan is an investment in a local government that continues to strive to be accessible, innovative and responsive to the needs of the community. It is designed to address the continued, professional growth of our employees, make proactive improvements to our procedures and technologies, effectively plan for future infrastructure needs, and continue to retain and attract residents and businesses to Windsor.

The FY 2005 Financial Plan renews our commitment to the organization and service delivery. These areas have suffered the most in the FY 2004 Financial Plan, and a risk of making further reductions in staffing and training could lead to long-term damage. This renewed commitment is also designed to recognize the financial sacrifices made by all employees for the FY 2004 Financial Plan and adequately address various "hygiene" issues. Expenditures for training and support staffing appear as invisible expenses that have little to do with the delivery of services, but these little investments should make large dividends in terms of productivity and performance.

The proposed FY 2005 budget is $80,641,193, an increase of $3,317,223 or 4.3% above the FY 2004 budget with a proposed mill rate of 28.83. The Proposed Fiscal Year 2005 General Fund Budget is summarized as follows:

This Financial Plan proposes several policy initiatives that respond to Council priorities or emerging issues identified as part of the town’s business plan development.

• Continue advocacy with CRCOG and other for design funding for the Springfield-New Haven Commuter Line and Day Hill Road and Bloomfield Avenue upgrades.

• Add small business support position for $52,478.

• Achieve 12 housing rehabilitation projects with $300,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds

• Add $18,000 for the Start Smart Initiative

• Continuation of the Superintendent’s newsletter to all Windsor households in FY 2005
• The Board of Education’s budget proposes the startup of the education television channel.

• Additional funding for this policy area is recommended at $45,390 along with the creation of an Arts Council in preparation for the FY 2006 Financial Plan.

• Funding of $52,478 for a Economic Development Specialist for small business assistance, as cited previously.

• Launch a Hotel Welcome program about Windsor which will be televised in 1,200 hotel rooms in the metropolitan area
• Two video productions about Windsor to be distributed to community access channels in Connecticut and Massachusetts
• Startup of a citizen’s academy for $5,000
• Startup of a welcome packet and delivery system

• Full-time environmental planner for $30,195
• Stormwater management program begins at a cost of $56,300
• Methane harvesting at the Windsor-Bloomfield Landfill
• Purchase of two hybrid powered vehicles

• Create a Human Services Department
• Add counseling support services and upgrade Youth Service Bureau counseling for $8,000
• Enhance the Start Smart Initiative to meet increasing demand for $18,000, as cited previously
• Initiate training and public education efforts regarding mental health issues for $15,000

COST REDUCTIONS AND OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCIES

These enhancements are balanced by lowering the cost of government in the following ways:

• Various general government cost reductions of $63,500 were identified through the cost reduction project; and $165,000 in education-related savings have been identified
• Debt service refunding for $121,700 in FY 2005 savings
• Lower costs for recycling for $40,500 in savings
• Lower general liability costs for $100,000 in savings
• Lower workers’ compensation insurance costs for $20,000 in savings
• Reduced contribution to the Town Pension Plan for $178,000 in savings due to superior investment performance
• The sale of non-operational real estate that have achieved $330,000 in one-time revenue to date (not yet approved) and the potential to generate $345,000 more in FY 2005.