'Three Things'

If you’ve been a subscriber since we started CheshireStack you’ll know that our monthly summary of the Town Council’s Regular Meeting is called ‘Three Things.’ This month is a little different for two reasons. One is that the Regular Meeting agenda was pretty light and with due respect to all the agenda items, they were largely routine. In other words, we don’t really have ‘three things’ to highlight this month. But this isn’t to say there wasn’t some important news from the meeting. At the March 11 Town Council Regular Meeting, Town Manager Sean Kimball delivered his proposed budget to the Council. This was the ONE big thing from the March 11th meeting. You can watch a video of his presentation starting at about the 1 hour 48-minute mark (click March 11 meeting.)

The long and short of the Town Manager’s budget this year is a large, proposed increase in taxes. The increase is largely due to big losses of State and Federal aid, the BOE’s requested increase and a large uptick in debt service (due to the construction of the new schools.)

As proposed the mill rate would go from 27.46 to 31.16. The tax increase for the ‘average residential taxpayer’ would mean a 12.7% increase ($1,129.) But these numbers are just a starting point for the Council. The budget will not pass as it stands. ​After all, we’re taxpayers as well. We know how hard it is to manage higher costs.

Over the next six weeks the Council will hold several budget workshops. We’ll have many tough decisions to make. Given the revenue losses this year, the higher expenses we’re facing now, the economic uncertainty emanating from Washington, our thriving and rapidly growing community and other factors make this budget season perhaps even more difficult than FY21, the COVID year. We urge you to attend and/or watch the budget meetings on YouTube. [Scroll to the bottom for the workshop schedule.]

Here’s the highlights of his presentation: ​​

FY 26 Revenues ​

• $4.7 million revenue loss compared to FY 25. ​

• Significant cuts in state aid and federal COVID relief funds.

• Proposed budget reduces general fund equity reserves by $1 million. ​

Grand List

• Grand list growth of $37,548,124 (0.94% increase). ​

• Real estate values increased by $56,097,731 (1.63%). ​

• Motor vehicle values decreased by $27,604,588 due to state changes. ​

Town Manager’s Proposed Operating Budget ​

• Proposed General Fund Budget: $150,221,266. ​

• Education budget increased by $6,213,841 (6.94%).

• Debt service increased by $2,621,179 (28.42%). ​

FY 26 Expenditures ​

• Board of Education request: $6,213,841 increase (largest in history). ​

• Debt service increase primarily for financing new elementary schools. ​

• Total expenditures projected at $150,221,266.

FY 26 Revenue/Expenditure Summary ​

• Total revenues decreased by $4.7 million compared to FY 25. ​

• Proposed mill rate: 31.16 mills, representing a 13.5% increase. ​

• Average residential tax increase of $1,129 (12.7%). ​

Community Pool Fund ​

• Proposed budget: $1,309,662 (8.48% increase).

• Town subsidy contribution increased to $500,000 due to minimal fund balance. ​

Water Pollution Control Dept. Fund

• Proposed budget: $5,309,884 (4.49% increase).

• Recommends $5.00 sewer fee increase to $470. ​

Five-Year Capital Budget Plan ​

• Total requested: $162,768,000; reduced to $151,874,000 by Town Manager. ​

• Year 1 projects total $7,699,000, including various infrastructure improvements. ​