April City Mission and Vision Statements do not reflect Campaign Promise of reducing taxes

Thanks to Colonial West Haven Taxpayer, who pointed me to the City of West Haven April 21, 2006 Monthly Department Meeting powerpoint presentation.

In it, is Mayor Picard's Vision statement, and Mission Statement.

Vision Statement:

To be a diverse community which embraces the changing needs and expectations of our citizens through respect for people, preserving the shoreline, and creating a prosperous and safe community.

("... and promote world peace" - pardon the joke, but outside of 'preserving the shoreline', how is this customized to West Haven?)

Mission Statement:

To be a fiscally stable municipal government which includes a system of checks and balances and provide compassionate leadership in meeting the needs and vision of the government that serves with honesty and integrity. Encourage participation by all in the development and improvement of services and strive for excellence and satisfaction in delivering of public services. This will be accomplished by maintaining respect for each other and the public and continually improve channels of communications both internally and externally. Fostering a progressive environment that will enhance the quality of life, fulfilling employment, recreational, educational opportunities for all and recognize our strengths and weaknesses and how we can learn from them as we prepare for the future of the City of West Haven.

That's a mouthful... and it's clear that Mayor Picard was already investigating the financial situation. Reading between the lines, though, it sounds more like "Spend More of your Money" than "Reduce Taxes". Granted, in his 2005 campaign interview he cleverly stated that he saw us as having 4-5 mills less of taxes in 5 years time.

It's particularly very clever, because if you increase your tax basis, the mill rate will immediately go down if you keep the same budget (remember my primer on Property Taxes, Mill Rates and (re-)Valuations?) . He also compares mill rates in a chart in his "campaign interview" (which really reads more like a 'FAQ' - not many interviews come with charts) - mill rates on their own are meaningless. It's the budget in conjunction with the mill rate that give you your taxes. You can have a low mill rate, but if your property is over-assessed, you'll pay high taxes.

To get the full April 21, 2006 document, go to the City of West Haven downloads areas, select 'Official City documents', and click select. The file that you are looking for is this one:

Department Head Meeting 4-21-06
Last Saved: 4/24/2006 5:01:08 PM
Summary: This is a PowerPoint presentation as prepared by Mayor John M. Picard and Executive Assistant James Burns.
City of West Haven Monthly Department Meeting April 21, 2006 One Team - One Dream YOU can make the DIFFERENCE Agenda Mission Statement Policy/Procedures Parking Relocation Web Page Update Freedom of Information (FOI) Budget Update Roundtable City of West Haven Vision To be a diverse community which James Burns.