The Hidden Cost of Low Tax Increases: Enfield’s Shrinking Fund Balance

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Whoever wins Tuesday’s election may soon wish they hadn’t. The new Town Council will inherit a budget crisis shaped by two converging forces: a new property revaluation and a dangerously depleted fund balance — the town’s financial cushion for emergencies and unexpected costs. How Did We Get Here?  Over the past two years, the Republican-controlled council has drawn at least $13.6 million from the fund balance to keep tax increases low.  What Is the Fund Balance? The unassigned fund balance consists of unspent money from department budgets and revenues that exceed expectations. In municipal budgeting, it serves as a safety net — covering unexpected emergencies such as sewer failures, and lawsuits. It can also be used strategically to soften tax increases, especially in revaluation years. The key word is strategically. Using reserves occasionally makes sense. Draining them year after year — especially before a revaluation — does not. What Happened Over the Past Two Years At the...
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Yes, climate change will increase Connecticut's population


The state believes population in our cities will double in 25 years or so. This op-ed in the Courant (hopefully, it isn't paywalled) argues that Connecticut's population will see increases because of climate change.
The impact of rising temperatures and sea levels on Southern states, as well as heat and water shortages in the Southwest, will make northern tier areas attractive as places to live.
How will Enfield do? A wetter than normal climate is expected in our region. Temps will increase some in the valley, and the number of 90+ degrees annually will rise.
https://www.courant.com/opinion/insight/hc-op-insight-assadourian-connecticut-cities-population-0202-20200131-5dod4i525zak5fhj6jjeevtbem-story.html


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