Town-wide Budget Freeze Imposed for FY 17

Mayor Marcia A. Leclerc announced that, in response to $1.5 million in cuts to municipal aid, she is imposing a town-wide budget freeze for the entire fiscal year 2017. Due to the state’s budget cuts, East Hartford’s previously approved budget is out of balance by $1.5 million. Department directors are being asked to immediately reduce discretionary spending, including non-essential training and travel, and all repairs to town vehicles except for those in emergency services.

“The State of Connecticut has closed a nearly $1 billion FY 17 budget deficit with significant budget reductions, employee layoffs in the thousands, and deep cuts to municipal aid, said Mayor Leclerc. “As a result, the State reduced aid to East Hartford by $1.5 million compared to the level that was expected when the Town Council set the budget on March 8, 2016. I am asking town directors to take the necessary steps to stop all non-emergency spending for the entire fiscal year.”

To help stabilize the budget and avoid layoffs, the Town will place restrictions on overtime, spending, and halt all non-essential hiring, including any unfilled positions. Because the state budget situation remains volatile, with more deficits forecasted for the coming years, the Mayor is asking that the spending reductions made this year be sustainable over coming budget years, and advising the Board of Education to expect no additional town contribution in FY 18.