Charter Commission proposes 7% budget cap, a fix that won't solve the problem

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Charter Revision Commission. Budget limit debate on YouTube video starts at about 1:24:00 The Charter Revision Commission (CRC) approved a budget referendum, but only if officials proposed a budget that exceeded a 7% increase. If the budget fails in the referendum, it would automatically cap at 7%. By forcing a referendum on any budget exceeding 7%, the CRC proposal effectively imposes a budget cap. While this might sound like a way to control taxes, it overlooks a fundamental issue: property tax rates fluctuate due to factors outside the town’s control. The 2023 budget year proves this point: even with a 5.4% budget increase, homeowners saw their tax bills jump by 8-9%. The increase in taxes wasn't entirely due to spending—it happened because property taxes are affected by multiple conditions. A budget cap wouldn't have prevented these increases. Enfield's problem is revenue. Property taxes must make up the difference when other revenue sources decline—whether state aid, ...
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Why the Town Council's plan to dismantle the DEI Committee is a mistake

 

[Correction appended on bottom]


The Town Council will consider repealing the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee at its meeting on Tuesday. While the committee has no authority over hiring or administrative decisions, it plays a vital role in fostering a more inclusive community as Enfield evolves to reflect its changing demographics.


Some of us who supported the creation of the DEI Committee in 2022 are graduates of Enfield High School from the early 1970s. We've seen this town's history unfold, and we believe the committee is essential to help Enfield become the best version of itself and protect it from costly litigation. Removing the DEI committee now would be a mistake.


While Enfield's demographics continue to change, the town has a history of blind spots regarding inclusion, including raising this issue one day after Martin Luther King Day.


The role of the DEI Committee in preventing legal issues

One of the DEI Committee's main functions is to flag issues before they escalate into costly legal disputes. A prime example is the federal lawsuit filed by Sara Hernandez, who in 2017 was a newly elected autistic and deaf school board member. Instead of providing reasonable accommodations for her to participate in board meetings fully, the town chose to fight a multi-year federal legal battle.


The case, brought under the Americans with Disabilities Act, ultimately went to a jury trial, which ruled against the town. If the DEI Committee had existed at the time, it could have identified the risks early, and potentially have avoided a costly federal lawsuit. Instead, taxpayers are now burdened with legal expenses that may exceed $1 million. Equally important is the adverse message we are sending to our community -- a message that undermines our commitment to equity and inclusion.


Addressing disparities in student arrests

The DEI committee also advises the town on social issues that could present risks to the community. A group I belong to, Showing Up for Racial Justice, analyzed arrest trends in Enfield's public schools and found that arrest rates were higher than in other towns across the state. We published our findings in an op-ed titled "Enfield Police Station Becoming the New Principal's Office."


What was most shocking is that the School Board wasn't requesting data on the racial and ethnic makeup of the students being arrested. This oversight not only risks fueling the "school to prison pipeline," but could expose Enfield to a disparate impact claim. These are the kinds of oversights that the DEI committee can identify and address before they become more significant problems.


The proposed flag policy and the DEI Committee's role

The Town Charter Revision Commission has proposed adding a provision to the Town Charter that would prohibit the display of any non-government flags on town property. This proposal is a response to the previous Democratic-led council's decision to fly the Pride flag at Town Hall during Pride month. Republicans, in turn, passed an ordinance banning this practice and now seek to enshrine this prohibition in the Charter, making it difficult for future councils to reverse.


Supporters of this charter provision argue it reduces legal risk, but this claim doesn't hold up under scrutiny. Communities like East Hartford, Meriden, and Wethersfield fly the Pride flag without facing lawsuits. The real risk here is that a referendum on this proposed charter amendment could become a broader referendum on LGBTQ+ acceptance, putting minority rights and inclusion up for majority vote.

That could lead to a climate of hostility. Enfield doesn't need that, and it's precisely the type of issue that the DEI committee could help advise on by providing a broader perspective.


Enfield's history and the need for forward-looking leadership

Enfield's demographics have shifted to a more diverse community since I graduated from EHS in 1972. Yet, the town's leadership and representation have remained essentially unchanged. The DEI committee intends to bring underrepresented groups into public life, foster outreach, and advise the town. According to the enabling resolution, in part:


"The Town Council shall strive to appoint a highly qualified and diverse committee that centers the voices and perspectives of historically marginalized populations in Enfield, including, but not limited to, people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, individuals with disabilities, and immigrants to the United States."


Despite these efforts to move forward, Enfield's history includes incidents of racial intolerance that are important to recognize. In 1979-80, the town experienced two to three cross-burnings aimed at residents of color—acts of racial intimidation that were classified as misdemeanors at the time. Connecticut saw at least 24 cross-burnings during this period some 45 years ago.


From a risk management perspective, eliminating the DEI committee is a shortsighted decision. Inclusion issues are a source of litigation risks. Addressing these issues will require creative thinking and proactive outreach to identify problems before they escalate into costly litigation. The DEI committee can be a forward-looking group that can help Enfield manage both its historical challenges and its future growth. It's a difficult committee to serve on and it needs people who can ask questions that aren't being considered. The council should be helping this committee, not destroying it.


Conclusion: A stronger, more inclusive Enfield

Enfield is fueling unnecessary political conflict instead of building on its strengths.


Enfield is a town that has always looked out for one another, and the DEI committee offers a way to make Enfield an even better place to live. 


By fostering inclusivity and providing thoughtful guidance on issues of diversity and equity, the committee can protect the town from legal risks, prevent escalating social tensions, and help the town reflect the changes it's experiencing. The DEI committee deserves the chance to continue its work for the benefit of all.


Correction: A previous version of this said that the Charter Revision Commission is controlled by Republicans. That is incorrect. There are four Republicans, four Democrats, and two unaffiliated members on this commission.

Location: Enfield, CT 06082, USA

Comments

  1. AnonymousJanuary 19, 2025 at 2:14 PM

    Short sighted is correct. I’ll just say this. The powers that exist in Enfield are all very anxious to fill the town with new housing. Not welcoming diversity in government or public policy doesn’t strike me as a selling point.

    ReplyDelete

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