Milford Board of Finance adopts $114.02 million school contribution after debate; mill rate set at 29.58 mills

The Milford Board of Finance voted to approve a $114,017,417 appropriation for the Board of Education on March 19, 2025, following multiple competing motions and several rounds of discussion. The board also adopted a 2025–26 mill rate of 29.58 mills, a 0.44‑mill increase from 29.14 last year.

Board of Finance members debated multiple amendment proposals before adopting the final education number. An initial motion to fund the Board of Education at $115,304,923 failed. A later amendment proposing a 3.5% increase — described by its sponsor as “about ensuring a fair and balanced approach for all of Milford citizens” — also failed to gain majority support. After additional motions and numerical adjustments, the board approved $114,017,417 by roll call, with three votes in favor and two opposed.

Why it matters: the education appropriation represents a majority share of city expenditures and drives the tax calculation. Finance staff reported a current‑year tax base of $228,417,328 and total general…