Windsor Budget Heads Back To Council After Failed Vote

WINDSOR, CT — Windsor officials are expected to take another pass at the town budget tonight after voters rejected the first plan last week.

The Town Council’s Monday agenda includes budget deliberations, possible adoption of a revised FY2027 budget and setting a date for a second budget referendum.

The regular council meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. at Windsor Town Hall, following a 7 p.m. special town meeting on two separate items.

The budget sent to voters May 12 carried proposed general fund spending of $159,403,000 and a projected 29.75 mill rate, according to the agenda packet and meeting minutes.

Town Manager Peter Souza said at the April 29 meeting that the projected 29.75 mill rate represented a 4.57 percent increase from the current rate.

The council had used $2 million in opening cash to help reduce the projected tax increase.

Since then, town officials said they expect about $645,000 in additional state aid compared with the amount built into the council-adopted budget.

According to the agenda packet, that additional aid could allow the town to increase non-tax revenue and lower the projected FY2027 mill rate from 29.75 to 29.61.

That would bring the projected tax-rate increase to 4.08 percent over the current 28.45 mill rate.

Officials could also choose to make spending cuts.

The agenda packet says a $455,000 reduction would bring the projected tax-rate increase down to 3.73 percent and set the proposed mill rate at 29.25.

Much of the earlier budget debate centered on education spending, use of reserves and whether the town should cut more before asking taxpayers to approve the plan.

At the April 29 meeting, a motion to reduce the Board of Education budget by $1 million failed 3-5. The school board budget was later approved at $93,714,280.

Another failed motion would have reduced General Services by $500,000, with proposed reductions affecting open space, capital projects and other areas.

The council did approve adding $100,000 toward other post-employment benefits, while also approving the use of $2 million in opening cash.

Tonight’s meeting could determine how much the proposed budget changes before it goes back to voters.

The council also needs to set the date for the second referendum.

According to the agenda packet, if the council wants the next referendum held June 2, the date must be set no later than Wednesday, May 20, to meet legal notice requirements.

The town said the timing could affect tax bills. If the revised budget is approved at the second referendum, July 1 billing will not be feasible from an administrative standpoint.

If voters approve a revised budget June 2, the town expects tax bills would be mailed in mid-July, with an Aug. 1 due date and payments accepted through Sept. 1 without penalty or interest.