According to Town Administrator Steven Contente, the Town’s $69.7 million budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024 supports efforts to maintain infrastructure and facilities, incentivizes personnel, supports public safety and education, while being mindful to the impact on local homeowners. As proposed, the residential property tax rate will go up $.47 per $1,000 valuation, from $13.36 to $13.83, a 3.52% increase.

Roads, essential DPW vehicles prioritized
In the coming year the Town will invest $1,399,000 to replace essential Public Works vehicles and make additional improvements to Town-owned facilities and buildings. The request also includes the annual road repaving program, allocating $1,300,000 in funds to receive a match of $388,000 from the State.

“We will be upgrading some DPW plows as well as adding another automated trash truck so there is no interruption of service when trucks are out of the rotation for maintenance,” said Contente.

School budget request approved
The recommended budget also includes the Bristol Warren Regional School District's 2.41% requested increase of $704,000 for a total Bristol contribution of $29,990,009. “The Joint Finance Committee unanimously agreed to that increase,” said Contente, calling it reasonable while praising Superintendent Ana Riley’s fiscal leadership of the Bristol Warren Regional School District (BWRSD).

Sewage infrastructure an ongoing priority
The Town's major capital improvements plan includes the ongoing upgrades at the Town's Water Pollution Control facility. Projects include improvements to the solid waste handing system, electrical upgrades and collection system renovations that will mitigate stormwater overflow discharge into the bay. The annual sewer use fee is estimated to increase from $605.79 to $621.98.

Personnel costs up about 3%, but policies have triggered some savings
Increases in the cost of health and liability insurance, along with employee retention raises, contract settlement with four of the five labor unions representing Town employees, and the need to keep rescue squad trucks staffed have resulted in a 3% increase in the Town payroll and associated costs.

Some of these costs, however, have been offset. As anticipated, automated trash collection has reduced the workers compensation premium by $128,000. Automation also freed up four employees who were reassigned — two who were transferred to the Sewer Department and are now maintaining the sewage collection system, increasing the longevity and performance of that piece of critical infrastructure, and two who remained at DPW and are maintaining the Town’s storm drains. According to Contente, their efforts prevent problems in both the short and long term, and showcasing that effort to maintain that infrastructure goes a long way when applying for federal grant money for continued upgrades.

A healthy balance
The Town’s unassigned fund balance is currently $7,135,861.90, approximately 12% of general fund revenues. Accordingly the Town earned an AA+ in the most recent (August 2023) S&P Global Rating, noting “good financial-management policies”.

This budget does include a fund balance appropriation increase, from $200,000 last year to $800,000 this year, in order to mitigate the total tax increase required.

In other good news, the town has an education bond dating from 2006 that will be dropping off the budget, the solar project at the former Minturn landfill will add $115,000 in revenue a year into town coffers, the Marina is bringing in higher-than-expected profits, and an increase in the senior citizen tax exemption is included in this budget, which amounts to $50 per qualified senior at a cost of $96,000 to the Town. Despite the FY25 increase, Bristol’s tax rate remains among the best in the state.

“The fund balance is healthy, we have $7 million in unrestricted assets, we have a double A+ bond rating, which is very, very good,” said Contente. “Property values are increasing, we are going to end up with a nice modern efficient school and I’m confident we are making critical investments.”
“Considering the increase in costs, we are doing well.”