Mayor Pedro Segarra said Monday evening that Hartford’s city government will need to close a $48 million budget gap for the coming fiscal year.
The deficit is primary due to lower revenue, higher debt service and costs from union agreements, Segarra said in his State of the City address.
Under Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s budget, Hartford would also face a $5.1 million reduction in aid, said Segarra, who will present his budget proposal to the city council next month.
The city’s current year budget totals $837 million, including general fund expenditures of $552 million.
The mayor also highlighted some recent accomplishments, including Hartford’s investment in the Downtown North minor league ballpark, its investment in Goodwin Park Golf Course and Keney Park, the approval of Coltsville as a national park, streetscape improvements, renovations to Weaver High School, new residential units in the South Armory and overall strength in apartment vacancies.
Segarra said his budget will include a proposal for a community benefits policy, which he said would ensure economic benefits for city residents and businesses from major construction projects in Hartford that receive city funding. His proposal includes staffing to monitor and enforce the policy.
