DARIEN, Conn. Darien residents could be looking at a tax increase of 3.93 percent. The Board of Finance approved the $120.2 million budget that would see the towns mill rate increase to 12.68.
The board opted to cut $340,000 from the Board of Educations suggested budget of $80,320,182. Of the cuts, $175,000 will come from the schools pension program for retired employees, leaving $165,000 to be cut from other areas of the schools spending for the 2012-13 year.
The Board of Education approved its budget in February. The $80,320,182 that was approved represents a 5.62 percent increase over the previous year. The budget approved by the Board of Finance lowers the increase to 4.8 percent.
The Board of Finance did not cut the town-side budget of $41,298,468, which is a 4.6 percent increase over the previous year. That budget was approved by the Board of Selectmen in February.
The Board of Finance has the authority to cut the Board of Educations budget, but cannot choose where those cuts come from. The majority of the school budget increase is due to special education costs and contractual obligations. The programs that might be cut include the $344,000 elementary world language program, or the hiring of an additional school psychologist or social worker, which would cost around $140,000.
The budget now moves on to the Representative Town Meeting, which will vote on the school and town budgets separately at its May 14 meeting.
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