How does Norwich’s spending compare to other communities?
There is no simple answer to this question. A comparison of spending without considering all of the underlying factors would not be meaningful. You would need to know the community’s population; school enrollment; square mileage; miles of local roads; whether they have a paid police department; whether they have paid, volunteer or blended fire departments; how many services and programs, if any, are offered by their Recreation, Senior Center and Human Services departments; what are they investing in capital improvements vs. what should they be investing in capital improvements; what is their debt load; how is refuse pickup paid for; etc.

One benchmark you can use is the property tax burden. Norwich has one of the lowest per capita property tax burdens in Connecticut.

The Connecticut Office of Policy & Management issues a report called the Municipal Fiscal Indicators each year which compares several different aspects of municipal finances across the 169 Connecticut towns and cities.
OPM Municipal Fiscal Indicators

Show All Answers

1. Why can’t Capital Improvements be cut to lower taxes?
2. Why can’t Debt Service be cut to lower taxes?
3. How does Norwich’s spending compare to other communities?
4. What can Local Capital Improvement Program (LOCIP) funds be used for?
5. Why is it important for the City to maintain its fund balance and fund its pension obligations?