Bill Finch unveils budget for Bridgeport

Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch delivered his 2015-16 city budget to members of the City Council on Tuesday. The proposed budget”™s total is $532,066,279, envisioning a growth in spending of $8.55 million over the 2014-15 budget.

The mayor”™s office issued a statement that said, “Highlights of the budget include no tax increase, no layoffs, an increase in spending on education and smart investments in the future that will help spur job creation.”

“Our city”™s economy is growing and getting stronger by the day,” Finch said in a statement. “And, as the chief executive of our city, it”™s my job to think about the long run, and make sure our city becomes a place where our kids and grandkids will choose to live, work and raise their families, too. That”™s why I”™ve been working hard to boost confidence in our city. I”™m proud to say that we”™re on the right track and our city is on the way up. Bridgeport is getting better every day. This budget is reflective of that.”

In his letter transmitting the budget to the City Council, Finch said, “My vision ”“ our vision ”“ for this city and its future, is already taking shape. For example, today you can stand on the white sand of a reopened, revitalized Pleasure Beach and look out onto Steel Point where development is finally happening. There are new and improved views like this across the city, and many more to come as the city reclaims its waterfront.”

The City Council will now weigh in on the mayor”™s proposals. Last year, the budget was approved May 12.