Fiscal Committee of the Board of Representatives Meeting – March 27, 2026

This meeting of the Fiscal Committee of the Board of Representatives took place on March 27, 2026, at 5:30 PM. Chairs Virgin La Cruz, Eric Morrison, and Andrew Zachary presided, with President Parker Johnson present. The committee heard presentations from multiple city-funded agencies and departments regarding their budget requests for fiscal year 2026-27. No votes were taken; the committee will consider the information for future budget decisions. The meeting adjourned at 7:13 PM.

Stanford Museum Presentation

• Melissa Alroni, retiring CEO of the Stanford Museum, presented the museum's budget request. She noted the museum originally requested a 7% increase, but Mayor Simmons proposed a 4% increase across most outside agencies. The museum receives less than one‑third of its funding from the city and raises 75% of its own operating funds (approximately $5.7 million annually). The requested 4% increase amounts to about $6,000, bringing city funding to nearly $1.5 million, which she argued returns over $4 million in community services. Alroni highlighted challenges from rising healthcare costs (25% increase this year after a 40% increase last year) and inflation. The museum’s preschool program generates $1 million per year, and since the new astronomy center opened, 6,000 additional students have been served. A capital request for a $670,000 pavilion was zeroed out, but $50,000 in non‑recurring funds was approved for technology conversion. Alroni expressed deep gratitude for the partnership and her 21 years of service.
• Committee members (Virgil La Cruz, Parker Johnson, Eric Morrison) thanked Alroni for her service and expressed appreciation for the museum’s work. No questions or opposition were raised.

Stanford Arts and Culture Commission Presentation

• Eric Miller, special assistant to the mayor and arts program manager, presented on behalf of the Arts and Culture Commission. The commission administers the Stanford Arts and Culture grant program. In the current (2026) grant cycle, it received 31 applications requesting over $400,000, with only $200,000 available. Average grant was $6,400 (down $1,000 from the previous year); the largest grant was $14,000 and the smallest $1,000. Six new applicant groups were included, representing diverse communities (Latino, Black, Jewish, Polish, etc.). For FY2026-27, the commission is requesting $208,000, an $8,000 increase over the current year.
• No questions or comments were raised.

Stanford Partnership Presentation

• Darrell Johnson, executive director of the Stanford Partnership (one year in role, 28‑year resident), presented. The partnership brings together business, government, and community to launch initiatives for local economic growth. Key programs include the Southwest Connecticut Tech Hub (placed over 200 individuals into tech roles in 22 months; federal funding sunsetting in June), the Stanford Tech Hub (place‑based training in partnership with Charter Spectrum), Start Lab (co‑working space for entrepreneurs), and Leadership Fairfield County (professional development for emerging leaders). The organization also recently launched a community engagement initiative for residents potentially affected by Medicaid changes (estimated 8,000 residents) and a free Wi‑Fi initiative at Latham Wilder and Cove Island.
• No questions or comments were raised.

Stanford Downtown (DSSD) Presentation

• Mike Moore, president of Stanford Downtown (a special services district), described the organization’s expanded scope. Downtown now has over 5,200 residential units, with 2,200 more planned over the next three years. The district provides environmental maintenance (ambassador team, graffiti removal, snow clearing – 60 inches of snow this winter), hospitality and social service outreach, public realm beautification (20 gardens, 80 planters, 300 hanging baskets), and events (Touch a Truck, farmers market, balloon parade). Property owners pay an additional 1.39 mills above property taxes, funding two‑thirds of the budget; the remainder comes from contributions and event revenue. Moore highlighted two growing social service needs: outreach to teens, with 285 contacts in February alone via a partnership with Domus Kids (Project New Hope), and homeless outreach through Pacific House (20 hours/week of case management). The district is spending $67,000 on youth outreach this year, with only a $10,000 city grant. Moore requested increased city funding to expand these programs, including after‑school programming, camp enrollment, and workforce engagement. Downtown sees 1.9 million unique visitors annually (11.6 million visits).
• Representatives Johnson and Hughes expressed strong support for the request and praised the district’s work. Another board member asked about rental units; Moore clarified that all property owners in the district are assessed.

Department of Economic Development Presentation

• Leah Kagan, director of economic development, presented the department’s budget request. The department currently has a special assistant and one program manager; it seeks a second program manager and a $50,000 increase in consulting funds for business attraction marketing. Key challenges include a commercial real estate vacancy rate of about 25% in the central business district, down from 30% at the pandemic peak. The department used remaining ARPA funds ($1.35 million distributed out of $1.5 million) for a small business support consultant. A $250,000 sustainability planning grant from the Connecticut Green Bank will help develop a public‑private partnership roadmap for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Kagan also highlighted cross‑departmental work with tax assessors and the health department (single‑use plastic ordinance).
• A committee member asked about class A vs. class B vacancy rates; Kagan said she would provide the breakdown later. The sustainability grant amount was confirmed as $250,000.

Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA) Presentation

• Bill Brink, with WPCA, presented the authority’s operating and capital budgets. WPCA is an enterprise fund with 47 staff. The proposed operating budget is $29.7 million, a 2.75% increase (about $800,000). Staffing changes include adding one mechanic (from four to five) and increasing a customer service specialist’s hours from 30 to 35. Notable budget changes: electrical costs are down 5% due to energy savings and a fixed supply contract; natural gas costs up 13.5% due to higher prices and increased sludge volume; chemical costs rising from $400,000 to $700,000. Debt service is level. Capital projects include $1.1 million for major replacements (pumps, roofs, generator fuel tank, sludge dryer equipment), $2.45 million for sanitary sewer rehabilitation (including infiltration/inflow removal), and pump station upgrades. Two large projects will be funded by revenue bonds: replacement of plant water returns activated sludge pumps (new estimate $14.6 million, up from $9.9 million) and upgrade of Alver Lane/Commerce Drive pump stations ($6.5 million, up from $5.9 million).
• No questions were raised.

Probate Court Presentation

• A representative (Nelly) from the Stanford Probate Court presented for the first time to the committee. The court is not a city department but a statutory entity. It is requesting $6,250 for FY2026-27, primarily for postage (about $2,000 annually). The representative noted they have been underfunded and have been “borrowing from tomorrow.” Additional needs include fireproof vaults (15–20 at roughly $5,000 each) and data ports (CAT6) for IT upgrades, but these are not part of the current request. The mayor has already approved the $6,250 request; the committee can only cut, not add. The representative pledged to prepare firmer estimates for future requests. Committee members advised asking for what is truly needed next year.
• The chair noted that the probate court’s operating budget can be found on page 304 of the general operating budget. No questions were raised.

Soundwaters Presentation

• Lee Shemitz, executive director of Soundwaters, presented. Soundwaters uses Long Island Sound as a “million acre classroom” and reaches every Stanford public school student in multiple grades (1st, 3rd, 6th, and 9th) at no cost to the city. Programs take place on a schooner, a research vessel, at the harbor center in Bakutsi Park, and at Cove Island. Soundwaters also offers job training for high school students (including stipends and skills such as welding, small engine repair) and leads community cleanups (45 cleanups last year, over a ton of debris removed). The organization requests $100,000 in city support, which funds salaries and directly supports the scholarship value provided to Stanford students. Shemitz emphasized that the sound is a public resource and should not be a place of privilege.
• Committee members (Morrison, La Cruz) thanked Shemitz and expressed strong support for Soundwaters’ work.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes or decisions were taken on any budget requests. The committee will consider the presentations as part of the FY2026-27 budget deliberation.
• The meeting adjourned at 7:13 PM.