Fiscal Committee Meeting – June 22, 2026

The Fiscal Committee of the Board of Representatives met on Monday, June 22, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. to consider two grant appropriations and to review the expired Municipal Tax Services (MTS) motor vehicle registration and tax collection program. The meeting was adjourned at 7:51 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• Item F32.089 – $324,646 – Additional appropriation (grant) for the Stamford Police Department from SAMHSA via Recovery Network of Programs to fund salary and fringe costs for a police officer assigned to the Behavioral Health Unit. This covers years two, three, and four of a five-year fully funded grant; the first year was already appropriated. The committee approved the item by a voice vote of 8-0-0.
• Item F32.090 – $62,566 – Additional appropriation (grant) for the Grants Office from state funds for LGP-QE Quality Enhancement through Shine Early Learning to support contracted services, direct services, conferences, training, and program supplies. The committee approved the item by a voice vote of 7-0-1 (Representative Le Pine abstained).

Discussion Items

• Item F32.091 – Review of Municipal Tax Services (MTS) Program – Greg Stackpole (City Assessor) and Steve Parenti presented an extensive overview of the MTS motor vehicle tax collection program, which ran from January 2019 through January 2026. The program used license plate readers on city streets to identify out-of-state and unregistered vehicles, then investigated and added eligible vehicles to the tax roll. Stackpole reported that the program generated approximately $3.4 million in total revenue over the life of the contract, but also consumed about 1,300 work hours per year (roughly one-third of two full-time employees’ time) for taxpayer inquiries and follow-up. The contract split collected taxes and interest 50/50 between the city and MTS, plus a $50 processing fee per vehicle. The program was allowed to expire in January 2026, with the city no longer under contract. Stackpole cited concerns over the invasiveness of investigations (e.g., checking social media, court records), administrative burden, and a perceived inequitable revenue split as reasons for non-renewal. He noted that in 2024 the scope was narrowed to out-of-state plates only, dropping the assessed value from $50 million to $11 million. Representative Stone questioned why the program was not renewed or replaced, noting that neighboring Danbury reported $368,000 in net profit from a similar program in the last 12 months. Stackpole indicated that any future program would require an RFP and mayoral decision. Representative Adams raised concerns about the process of adding vehicles by default after 60 days without response, calling it a presumption of guilt. Stackpole clarified that the city does provide refunds if a taxpayer proves the assessment was wrong. Representative Le Pine asked whether privacy concerns were the primary driver for ending the program; Stackpole affirmed that was one of several factors, along with administrative costs and the 50/50 split. A motion to move into executive session to discuss vendor-specific information failed due to technical difficulties with Zoom breakout rooms. The item was then recommitted to the Steering Committee by a voice vote.

Key Outcomes

• Approved two grant appropriations (F32.089 and F32.090) with votes of 8-0-0 and 7-0-1 respectively.
• Item F32.091 (MTS review) was recommitted to the Steering Committee for future discussion, including a planned executive session when technology permits.