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Patch Candidate Profile: For Andrew Okrongly For Ridgefield Board of Finance

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  Published in Business and Finance on Sunday, September 21st 2025 at 14:37 GMT by Patch
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Andrew Okrongly: A Fresh Face on Ridgefield’s Board of Finance

As the 2024 municipal elections draw nearer, Ridgefield’s residents are looking to the future of their local finances. The Board of Finance, a nine‑member body that oversees the town’s budget, property‑tax assessments, and capital‑project funding, has historically been a stable yet quietly influential institution. This year, the board’s roster is poised for change, and one of the most talked‑about candidates is Andrew Okrongly, a local entrepreneur and longtime community volunteer. His campaign, highlighted on Patch’s Ridgefield candidate profile page, offers a blend of fiscal pragmatism and progressive ambition that resonates with a town that balances historic charm with modern growth.

A Background Rooted in Local Roots

Born and raised in Ridgefield, Okrongly’s connection to the town runs deep. The Patch profile notes that he graduated from Ridgefield High School in 2004, followed by a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Connecticut’s Storrs campus in 2008. After a stint in corporate finance for a regional bank, he returned to his hometown in 2012 to launch Okrongly & Associates, a boutique consulting firm that specializes in small‑business financial planning and community‑development projects.

Beyond his professional credentials, Okrongly has long been embedded in Ridgefield’s civic life. The article lists a litany of volunteer positions: board member of the Ridgefield Historical Society, chair of the Community Improvement Committee, and a recent appointment to the Ridgefield Redevelopment Authority. “When we talk about the future of our town, we have to consider how our budgets shape the everyday lives of our neighbors,” Okrongly told the Patch interviewer. “I’ve seen how a well‑structured financial plan can preserve our historic homes while funding modern infrastructure.”

A Clear Fiscal Vision

Okrongly’s platform, as outlined in the profile, centers on three main pillars: transparency, sustainability, and smart growth. He argues that Ridgefield’s current property‑tax structure, while historically modest, has not kept pace with the rising cost of living and the need for infrastructural upgrades. “We can’t simply keep the same budget model that worked ten years ago,” he said. “We need to adopt a data‑driven approach that balances taxpayer burdens with responsible investment.”

Transparency is a recurring theme. Okrongly proposes a quarterly online dashboard that would break down every dollar the Board spends—something the Patch piece highlighted as a first for Ridgefield. “People deserve to know where their money is going,” he said. The dashboard would include interactive charts that compare projected versus actual spending on roads, schools, and emergency services.

Sustainability comes in two forms. First, Okrongly advocates for a modest, but targeted, increase in property‑tax revenue to fund green initiatives—like municipal solar panels and energy‑efficient street lighting. He cites a 2022 study from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory that shows a 15% reduction in municipal operating costs over five years when such upgrades are implemented. Second, he is pushing for a review of the town’s debt‑service obligations, aiming to refinance older bonds at lower interest rates where possible.

Smart Growth focuses on the intersection of finance and land use. Ridgefield’s Board of Finance has historically had a hand in approving major development projects, and Okrongly wants to make those decisions more inclusive. He proposes a partnership model that would bring in local developers, zoning experts, and community representatives to evaluate the financial impact of proposed projects. “It’s not just about the numbers; it’s about whether those numbers reflect our community’s values,” he emphasized.

Endorsements and Community Support

The Patch profile also highlighted endorsements that give Okrongly momentum. The Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce has publicly backed his candidacy, citing his record of fostering small‑business growth. Additionally, a coalition of senior‑citizen advocacy groups has rallied behind him, praising his proposals to preserve affordable housing and protect long‑time residents from steep property‑tax hikes.

The article includes a brief Q&A segment where Okrongly responds to a series of practical concerns. For instance, when asked how he would handle the town’s aging water infrastructure, he mentioned a multi‑phase upgrade plan that would spread costs over a decade, thus avoiding a one‑off tax spike. When queried about how his consulting experience would translate to public service, he pointed to his track record of implementing cost‑saving measures for community nonprofits.

What Residents Should Know

Readers who want a deeper dive into Okrongly’s track record can follow the internal links on the Patch page. One leads to a feature on Ridgefield’s Historical Society Board Minutes, where his past proposals for community‑based budgeting were discussed. Another link opens a local newspaper article that chronicled his successful negotiation of a 20% discount on a municipal solar contract for Ridgefield Elementary School—a pilot that saved the town over $30,000 in utility bills in the first year.

In the weeks leading up to Election Day, the Patch profile remains a go‑to resource for voters seeking a concise snapshot of each candidate’s qualifications and priorities. As the profile points out, Ridgefield’s Board of Finance plays a pivotal role in shaping the town’s future, from the condition of its roads to the cost of living for families and seniors. Andrew Okrongly’s platform—rooted in transparency, sustainability, and smart growth—offers a clear vision that could reshape how Ridgefield manages its finances for the next decade.

For voters, the question is simple: Will Andrew Okrongly’s blend of local insight and fiscal discipline provide the steady hand Ridgefield needs to navigate the challenges of tomorrow? As the election countdown begins, the Patch article encourages residents to watch for upcoming debates, town hall meetings, and to weigh how each candidate’s plan aligns with the town’s shared values.