Hearing Set On Health District Budget

By Jan Howard

The Newtown District Board of Health will hold a public hearing on its proposed 2003–2004 budget on March 24 at 7 pm at Canaan House on the Fairfield Hills campus.

The total Health District budget of $385,104 is up $9,566.96 from the current budget of $375,537.04, but there is a decrease in the borough and town government assessments.

The local assessment of $225,000 is down from this year’s contribution of $225,446.72, a decrease of $446.72.

Anticipated revenues from the state are up slightly, from $42,754.47 in the current budget to $42,814. Projected fees amount to $49,884, slightly less than this year’s budgeted $49,885.60. Carryover, which uses unreserved fund balance, is $67,406, up from $57,450.25 in the current budget, an increase of $9,955.75.

Director of Health Donna McCarthy said there are only minor changes in the proposed budget.

“There are some increases we can’t help,” she told the Board of Directors at a special Board of Health meeting March 5. These increases include health insurance, contractual, and salaries.

The salary account is $250,015, up from $246,809.61, an increase of $3,205.39; contractual is $16,830, an increase of $62 over the current $16,768.49; health insurance is $50,940, up $6,425.05 from $44,514.95; Social Security is $19,175, up $262.70 from $18,912.30; and workers compensation is $5,000, up $55.65 from $4,944.35.

The transportation account of $13,570 is down $445 from this year’s $14,015. The operation budget is down minimally, while legal/financial of $5,700 and contingency/fund balance of $3,500 remain the same.

Copies of the budget are on file for review at the Health District office. The Board of Directors will meet following the public hearing to finalize the budget. A date for that meeting has not as yet been set.