Ganim eyes election-year tax cut

BRIDGEPORT — An increase in the city’s grand list combined with election year politics may have a positive impact on overburdened taxpayers.

Three years after Mayor Joe Ganim outraged some neighborhoods, hiking Bridgeport’s tax or mill rate from 42 to 54 mills, hizzoner is running for re-election and considering offering a modest tax reduction in his proposed budget.

That draft 2019/20 fiscal plan is expected to be forwarded to the City Council Tuesday.

“The mayor and I had a preliminary conversation about lowering or attempting to lower taxes,” City Council President Aidee Nieves said. “From my understanding, he is proposing a budget with tax cuts in it.”

Ganim in a brief interview Thursday night refused to talk budget details, but stated, “I’m very sensitive to taxpayers.” His last two spending plans kept taxes the same.

The mayor said he planned to consult with council members over the weekend, ahead of that legislative body’s regular Monday meeting. Ganim is expected to deliver a few comments on his budget then, and also tout it when he delivers his annual state-of-the-city address to the business community Tuesday at the University of Bridgeport.

Councilwoman Maria Zambrano Viggiano, who, along with other members of the budget committee she co-chairs will spend April reviewing the mayor’s draft fiscal plan, said it is obvious Ganim would at least want to hold the line on taxes.

“I suspect because it is an election year for the mayor it would be wise for him to keep taxes where they are,” Viggiano said.

Viggiano said lowering taxes might be a good short-term political move not only for the mayor but council members who are also facing re-election. But, she...

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