Segarra: I’ve Reduced The Size Of The Mayor’s Office By Over A Million Dollars

When Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra presented his budget a few weeks ago, he said this:

“I’ve reduced the size of the mayor’s office by over a million dollars.”

Really?

Let’s take a look.

Perez Resigns Effective 5 p.m.

Here’s the email from Sarah Barr:

At 3:07 p.m., a letter was submitted to the Town and City Clerk stating that Eddie A. Perez is resigning today as Mayor of the City of Hartford.  The resignation is effective today, June 25, 2010 at 5:00 p.m.

And here’s the Courant’s story. (And, for the record…although posted a bit late…Mayor Pedro Segarra’s statement is below.)

Perez Prepares To Resign, Staffers Prepare His Belongings

The Mayor's Car (Jeff Cohen/WNPR)

It was an odd time when I stopped in at city hall this morning, as media types like me camped out and waited for the resignation letter of Mayor Eddie A. Perez.  We’re told it’s coming this afternoon.  The lack of clarity has made everyone a little jumpy.

Meanwhile, the literal transition from one mayor to another has begun.  City staffers got a call this morning to start carting out stuff from the mayor’s office — plaques, picture frames, framed newspaper articles, and even a silver shovel.  They brought them to his city-issued car out back.

Hartford Grand List Grows, City Still Faces Deficit Next Year

Below you’ll find the city’s blunt press release.

Yes, the value of all total taxable properties in the city grew to $2.7 billion — not because there’s been real growth, but because of a phase-in of property taxes.  Here’s a list of the Top 10 property tax payers: Top10PDF

The grand list also took a hit because 800 fewer cars are registered in the city than were before. Meanwhile, the city has started public discussions over just how to handle its projected $40 million deficit for next year.