For Cheshire residents struggling with last year’s 7 percent increase in property taxes, standby to standby. Taxes will climb to unprecedented levels if the budget presented by Town Manager Sean Kimball passes intact.
Cheshire residents are urged to attend a series of upcoming budget meetings to voice their opinions about the proposed budget.
Cheshire residents are urged to attend a series of upcoming budget meetings to voice their opinions about the proposed budget.
Driven by a more than $6 million budget for Cheshire Public Schools, ebbing revenues, and higher debt service obligations, the proposed FY25-26 budget calls for a 12.7 percent increase in taxes. On average, homeowners in Cheshire will see their property taxes rise by $1,129 beginning this year.
Under the plan, there will be no new town services. Mr. Kimball described the budget as ”status quo” and provides for no “additional or increased services.”
Spending for Cheshire’s schools – existing and new – comprises 86 percent of the town budget. Earlier this year, the Cheshire Board of Education approved a $95.8 million operating budget. Among other things, the school spending plan calls for a new administrative STEM coordinator, new teachers, and $1.6 million more for medical expenses.
Cheshire also will incur $2.6 million in debt service in FY25-26 for the construction of the town’s two new elementary schools at the north and south ends of town. This is about a million dollars more than the record debt expense of FY24-25.
Spending for Cheshire’s schools – existing and new – comprises 86 percent of the town budget. Earlier this year, the Cheshire Board of Education approved a $95.8 million operating budget. Among other things, the school spending plan calls for a new administrative STEM coordinator, new teachers, and $1.6 million more for medical expenses.
Cheshire also will incur $2.6 million in debt service in FY25-26 for the construction of the town’s two new elementary schools at the north and south ends of town. This is about a million dollars more than the record debt expense of FY24-25.
In total, budgeted expenditures will rise by $10.3 million.
Even as spending soars, revenues will take a sharply negative turn in the coming year. The biggest hit comes from the depletion of federal funds under the American Rescue Plan Act. ARPA was limited stimulus designed to grease the economy after the government-ordered shutdown and ensuing recession. Cheshire received $1.3 million through the program.
Likewise, Hartford has done no favors for Cheshire. Governor Ned Lamont’s biennial budget cuts nearly a million from two important grant programs. The state has also instituted a new formula for car valuations, which will cost Cheshire $1 million. Ironically, the new calculation was adopted to reduce annual car taxes. Given the size of the town’s proposed tax increase, however, Cheshire residents will see vehicle taxes rise as well.
Likewise, Hartford has done no favors for Cheshire. Governor Ned Lamont’s biennial budget cuts nearly a million from two important grant programs. The state has also instituted a new formula for car valuations, which will cost Cheshire $1 million. Ironically, the new calculation was adopted to reduce annual car taxes. Given the size of the town’s proposed tax increase, however, Cheshire residents will see vehicle taxes rise as well.