Connecticut Senate Bill SB00094

Connecticut 2021 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/12/21
• Refer: 1/12/21

Caption

An Act Concerning Certain Municipal Agreements To Fix Assessments.

Impact

This bill is designed to streamline municipal governance and add efficiency to local decision-making processes regarding property assessments. By delegating this authority to the boards of selectmen, it is expected that local governments can act swiftly to negotiate agreements that may affect tax assessments, ultimately benefiting local economies and governance. The bill represents an important shift in power dynamics within municipal governance, giving more authority to elected officials rather than larger town meetings.

Summary

SB00094, titled An Act Concerning Certain Municipal Agreements To Fix Assessments, proposes an amendment to section 12-65b of the general statutes. The primary intention of this bill is to alter the existing process by allowing the board of selectmen of certain municipalities to enter into agreements concerning assessments without the necessity of approval from the town meeting. This is particularly pertinent for municipalities where the legislative body is structured as a town meeting.

Contention

Points of contention surrounding SB00094 may arise from concerns regarding the concentration of power within the board of selectmen at the expense of broader community input. Critics may argue that allowing selectmen to unilaterally make decisions on assessments could diminish the participatory aspect of local governance, undermining the town meeting's role as a platform for citizen engagement. There may also be debates on whether this shift could lead to inequities in assessment practices among different municipalities, with potential implications for property tax distributions.