What the 2021 State Budget Looks Like for Hamden
I am pleased to announce that the Town of Hamden will receive significant funding under the state budget that we are approving today. I am hopeful that these additional state funds, along with federal funds coming from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), will help Hamden eliminate any deficit, keep a lid on tax increases, and ensure the town has a budget reserve. The federal funds in particular are a one-time infusion of funds in response to the pandemic and our local Town officials must use the funds responsibly.
For Fiscal Year 22 (July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2022) Hamden will receive $31,502,216 in total education aid, a $1.2 million increase from last year, and $32,746,979 for Fiscal Year 23, a $2.5 million increase from last year.
Hamden will also receive more than $6 million in "PILOT" funds in both fiscal years for a total of more than $12 million. This is a significant increase based on legislation we passed to fund fully the Payment in Lieu of Taxes program that reimburses the town for tax exempt property like that owed by Quinnipiac University.
In total, the Town will receive $40,839,958 in state aid for Fiscal Year 22 - a $4.2 million increase from last year - and $42,084,721 for Fiscal Year 23 - a $5.5 million increase from last year.
Additional Federal Funds for Hamden from ARPA
As a part of the ARPA funding, Hamden is also eligible to receive $23.6 million in federal funds to help with reimbursement costs associated with providing services during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as offset lost tax revenue. The Mayor and Town Council need to cooperate with each other and apply for these funds in order for the Town to receive them.
In addition to those funds for the Town, the Board of Education will receive an additional $10.3 million in federal pandemic-relief funds. As a former Board of Education member, I know the BOE has always operated in a responsible, bipartisan manner. The Board has already applied for this funding and has a plan to use the funds in the areas of special education, social and emotional learning, before and after school programs, early childhood learning and family intervention programs, STEM programs and credit recovery programs for high school students. I applaud the BOE's planning and efforts in this regard.