Page 31 - Local Budgets News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

Norwich — City Manager John Salomone has proposed a combined city and school budget totaling $138.6 million with a 4.39% spending increase that would require a 1.5% citywide tax increase. Salomone’s proposed 2021-22 budget, presented to the City Council Monday, includes an $86.3 million school budget which calls for a $2.1 million or 2.5% increase. That is less than the 3.95% increase requested by school officials but more than the city manager’s usual 2% increase for the schools. The general government budget also contains funding for a fire services director recommended in a ...

Stonington — Following a virtual public hearing on Thursday, the Board of Finance approved a proposed 2021-22 budget that calls for a 0.49 mill tax rate increase. The $73.1 million budget and 23.85 mill tax rate will now go to an April 19 town meeting, which will be followed by a referendum vote.   Board of Finance Chairman Tim O'Brien opened the hearing by saying the board tried to conduct the budget process in the most transparent and public way possible. He praised town department heads for their exemplary presentations, which explained the needs of each department. "We really li...

American strategy towards China must be careful not to endanger core U.S. interests or national security. Unlike sessions of the U.S. Congress, dynamism, power, and democracy are not associated with the relatively boring, choreographed, and rubber-stamp nature of China’s annual “two sessions” of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). However, they have political theater in common. While the 2021 two sessions predictably endorsed China’s Outline of the fourteenth Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) and Long Range Objectives...

Norwich — The Board of Education on Tuesday adopted an $87.5 million 2021-22 proposed school budget, a 3.95% increase over this year’s budget, with increases in tuition, salaries, benefits, utilities and transportation costs. Superintendent Kristen Stringfellow presented the budget to the board Tuesday, two weeks after unveiling the plan to the board’s budget committee. The board voted unanimously to approve the proposed budget and submit it to City Manager John Salomone, who will present his budget, including a bottom line for the school budget April 5. Stringfellow said while most l...

Stonington — School officials on Tuesday night outlined their proposed 2021-22 budget of $38.3 million and its 2.5% increase for the Board of Finance.  Board member Gordon Lord read a letter from school board Chairman Frank Todisco, who was away on business. Todisco called the proposed budget a responsible spending package for taxpayers that provides necessary education services for students. He pointed out three areas — employees raises, health insurance and special education transportation — account for much of the $934,000 increase. He concluded by respectfully a...