Derek Slap

Farmington Delegation Celebrates Town Receiving Increased Funding for High School Project in 2022-23 Budget

The Farmington delegation of lawmakers, including State Senator Derek Slap (D-West Hartford), State Senator Rick Lopes (D-New Britain), State Representative Mike Demicco (D-Farmington) and State Representative Tammy Exum (D-West Hartford), are cheering the restoration of full state funding support for renovation work being performed at Farmington High School.

In March, Sen. Slap and Rep. Demicco testified to the Education Committee seeking to ensure the reimbursement rate initially promised to the town, then reduced in December 2021, was restored to its original rate. The text of the 2022-23 state budget implementer lists Farmington as receiving a 30% reimbursement rate for the work, ensuring the town does not face a financial deficit.

“Our delegation was vocal during the legislative session to ensure our town and our constituents were not financially harmed by a last-minute reduction in funding,” said Sen. Slap. “I’m happy to see our voices were heard and the state has made Farmington whole, avoiding financial issues at the municipal level and ensuring this project moves forward without issue.”

“A new high school is a big financial undertaking, but an important project for the future of Farmington. This is why we, as your state elected officials, worked diligently to ensure the state helped pay its fair share of the costs,” said Sen. Lopes. “This ensures students will have a safe and state of the art facility, and local taxpayers will not have to carry the entire construction cost.”

“This substantial increase in Farmington’s reimbursement rate for the high school construction project (from 19% to 30%) is great news for our taxpayers, teachers, parents, and students. This achievement is a testament to the experienced, effective leadership of Farmington’s legislative delegation, and our solid working relationship with legislative leaders,” said Rep. Demicco. “Investing in the education of our youth is always good public policy. I look forward to the groundbreaking ceremony in the fall!”

“I’d like to thank my fellow members of the Farmington delegation for sounding the alarm and righting a potential wrong,” Rep. Exum said. “The taxpayers were promised an initial tax reimbursement rate and reducing it was wrong and would have been an unanticipated financial burden. This increased reimbursement rate is wonderful news for the Farmington community, and I am excited for the students of Farmington High, who will soon have a state of the art facility, of which they are so deserving.”

“The Town of Farmington is thrilled that our legislative delegation was able to increase our reimbursement rate,” said Farmington Town Manager Kathy Blonski. “This is the largest project in the Town’s history and this increase will benefit the Farmington taxpayers. On behalf of the Town of Farmington, I thank our legislators for all their hard work to make this happen.”

In late 2021, Farmington leaders were told the state’s initially agreed-upon reimbursement rate for work renovating the “900 wing” of Farmington High School would be reduced after the project was approved at referendum. Under the project, the town is building a new high school and renovating the existing school to upgrade athletic facilities and its central administration office. Overall, other than the work for the “900 wing,” the project had a reimbursement rate of 18.93%.

Section 389 of House Bill 5506, “An Act Adjusting The State Budget For The Biennium Ending June 30, 2023, Concerning Provisions Related To Revenue, School Construction and Other Items To Implement The State Budget And Authorizing And Adjusting Bonds Of The State” – put more simply, the legislation enacting the state’s 2022-23 fiscal year budget – reads, “the town of Farmington may use the reimbursement rate of 30% for the new construction project at Farmington High School,” with similar language also reflecting a similar reimbursement rate for construction of outdoor athletic facilities and the central administration facility project.