Politics & Government

New Board of Finance Focuses on NBC, Stamford Police, Property Values

A new-elect to the Board of Finance states that a great deal of focus will soon be placed on NBC Sports and maintaining good relations with civil service unions.

The new Board of Finance may have its hands full in making good on several campaign promises, such as their yearly budget analysis, revenue issues with NBC Sports, and local civil services agencies with staffing issues.

"During our campaign, our message was to bring good government," Board of Finance-elect John Louizos told Patch.

One of the Board of Finance's top priorities will be their own involvement in NBC Sports' move to Stamford, which analysts state will bring upwards of 450 jobs to Stamford, in addition to generating over $25 million in revenue. Louizos suggests that NBC will be among several points of focus when the Board of Finance analyzes its yearly budget, and there may be additional sources of revenue besides obvious profits that come with increased tourism.

Find out what's happening in Stamfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"In addition to operating expenses, we also have to consider revenues," Louizos said. "The city can benefit from personal property taxation on the things that NBC will bring, such as equipment."

According to Louizos, the Board of Finance plans to keep its promises to the Stamford Police Department, who endorsed Louizos, Mary Lou Rinaldi, and David Martin during the recent election. "I think we need to take a look at staffing, lateral hiring, and overtime," Louizos said. "They endorsed us primarily because they believed our team would be thoughtful."

Find out what's happening in Stamfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Louizos emphasized the world thoughtful, having stated during his campaign that in the past, the Board of Finance has not shown leadership, especially as it pertains to Stamford's police.

Louizos stated that a process which takes place every five years, reevaluation, would probably be the Board of Finance's most immediate concern. "Reevaluation, currently, must happen before Oct. 2012," Louizos confirmed.

2012'S reevaluation will have to take into account staggering changes to property value in Stamford, values which are unlikely to change in the current economic climate.

Overall, Louizos claims that this Board of Finance will be more effective that its previous incarnations, given the diverse backgrounds  and experiences of its new members. As a prominent Stamford attorney, John Louizos feels that he provides much-needed legal knowledge to the new Board.

"I think people are feeling good about our being elected...I think people are looking to all of us to use our skills and pull together."


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