Animal Toys Drive Up Budget Costs in Southbury

Who knew that dog toys could be budget busters, but that appears to partially be the case in Southbury. 

During a Board of Finance meeting in June the 2013-14 town budget was reviewed. 

According to meeting minutes, there were two areas of concern, the Animal Control and Parks and Recreation budgets. 

First Selectman Edward Edelson said some of the animal control expenses are related to the purchasing of toys for the shelter animals and he instructed staff not to do that anymore, meeting minutes state. 

Also some of the staff comes into work early, and Edelson said that will no longer be allowed because of overtime costs, minutes state. 

The Parks and Recreation Department budget needs to be reviewed because of overtime costs, and all departments will need to keep a close eye on overtime costs, meeting minutes state. The Board of Finance will not approve overtime if it is not budgeted, meeting minutes state.