Windsor Locks Budget Goes To Fifth Vote

WINDSOR LOCKS, CT — Windsor Locks voters will head back to the polls Tuesday for a fifth vote on the town’s 2026-27 budget.

The referendum is scheduled for noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 28.

The latest sample ballot asks voters to decide three questions.

The first asks whether to approve a $64,869,350 operating budget. That is the main budget that pays for town government, schools, public safety, public works, employee benefits, debt payments, recreation and other services.

The second asks whether to approve a $455,623 Tax Increment Financing District budget. That fund is tied to downtown development.

The third asks whether to approve a $102,522 capital budget. Capital spending generally covers larger town purchases or projects.

The latest budget proposal carries a 22.25 mill rate. A mill rate is used to calculate property taxes. It means property owners pay $22.25 for every $1,000 of assessed property value.

Town budget documents list $35,079,328 for the Board of Education and $29,790,022 for town government spending.

The vote comes after four failed budget referendums.

The first vote failed June 2. Voters rejected the operating budget 951-487, the TIF budget 910-522 and the capital budget 866-568.

The second vote failed June 16. Voters rejected the operating budget 852-345, the TIF budget 792-403 and the capital budget 761-433.

The third vote failed June 30. Voters rejected the operating budget 788-317, the TIF budget 712-394 and the capital budget 678-425.

The fourth vote failed July 14. Voters rejected the operating budget 1,167-290, the TIF budget 911-556 and the capital budget 880-585.

The newest operating budget is higher than the $64,434,350 proposal voters rejected July 14, but lower than the first three operating budget proposals sent to referendum.

The budget fight has also drawn warnings about possible impacts to local services. The Windsor Locks Public Library, Park and Recreation Department and Senior Center previously warned that deeper cuts could affect hours, programs, transportation, summer camp and other services.

Voters can review the latest budget materials on the town website.

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