New Canaan selectmen approve FY 2026 budget package, forward it to Board of Finance

The New Canaan Board of Selectmen on Jan. 30 approved the town’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget package and forwarded it to the Board of Finance for review.

The action, taken unanimously at the Selectmen’s regularly scheduled meeting, included approvals of the general fund operating expenditure budget of $183,109,696 and a recommended $5,000,000 fund‑balance contribution. The board also approved a total general fund operating revenue figure of $178,109,696, which consists of the board’s revenue estimates plus the fund‑balance contribution. The Selectmen recorded an overall recommended year‑over‑year increase of 4.67 percent.

The vote completes the Board of Selectmen’s part of the town budget process and sends the package to the Board of Finance, which begins its review the week of Feb. 6, the board said.

Why it matters: The Selectmen’s approvals set the figures that the Board of Finance and later the Town Council will use in their deliberations. The package includes multiyear operating and capital items that affect property taxes, town services and school support.

Key figures and approvals

- General fund operating expenditures approved: $183,109,696. - General fund operating revenue (before final Board of Finance adjustments): $178,109,696. - Amount to be raised by taxation approved: $169,072,544. - Fund balance contribution recommended: $5,000,000. - Sewer fund operating and capital package approved: total $2,125,289 (operating $1,901,289; non‑bonded capital $224,000). - Selectmen approved a fee memo dated 01/06/2025 that had been discussed at the board’s Jan. 28 budget meeting.

All votes recorded in the transcript were unanimous; individual movers and seconders were not named on the record.

Notable budget items and outstanding questions

Board members and staff discussed several specific capital and departmental requests that the Board of Finance will examine in more detail. Among items highlighted during the Selectmen’s review were:

- A proposed classroom and building audio/PA upgrade for the high school listed at approximately $903,000; Selectmen encouraged the Board of Finance to “get boots on the ground” and review the vendor cost breakdown and security‑feature claims before final approval.

- Replacement of play clocks and the scoreboard at Dunning Stadium budgeted at about $200,000; the board noted the scoreboard is used for athletics, ceremonies and some educational broadcasting programs.

- Erwin Park roof engineering and painting repairs listed in the capital plan (approximately $1,319,000). Selectmen said the structure is underused and costly to renovate; they asked public‑works staff to provide clearer cost estimates and options, including potential removal or phased work, for Board of Finance review.

- The Selectmen removed a $500,000 request for the Powerhouse annex from the town capital ask but left $265,000 tied to the original request in the package; the board noted the town expects community fundraising or private contributions before committing additional town funds.

Staffing and operating questions

Selectmen raised items in the registrar of voters and election personnel lines. The board said it has not received sufficient detail about how part‑time staff are used in the registrars’ office and agreed to seek further explanation at the Board of Finance stage. The board proposed reducing the registrars’ part‑time and elections personnel line items in the Selectmen’s draft and asked that the registrars present a detailed justification to the Board of Finance if they request restoration.

Other budget details and context

- The draft tax‑funded capital budget shown at the meeting was $1,735,100; debt service in the draft was $18,119,275; non‑wage contingency $350,000; library budget $3,013,500; transfers/outside agencies $821,000. - The board noted expected but currently unrecognized revenues that could reduce the year‑over‑year increase, including an anticipated bond premium that staff estimated might add roughly $1.6 million and some ARPA interest (roughly on the order of a few hundred thousand), but those revenue items were not included in the Selectmen’s approved figures because they remain uncertain. - The Selectmen reported the headcount for town employees shown in the draft includes sewer fund staff; the non‑self‑sustaining FTE count differs when sewer employees are excluded.

Process and next steps

With the Selectmen’s approvals, the budget package will move to the Board of Finance for detailed review, adjustment and public hearings. The Selectmen emphasized that the Board of Finance and Town Council will have opportunities to revisit revenue estimates, capital items and departmental staffing. The board repeatedly encouraged Board of Finance members to visit facilities and meet with staff to understand technical proposals before making final funding recommendations.

The board also noted several community items outside the budget: a dedication at the historical society honoring Janice Luddy and Jim Bach, and an upcoming press conference concerning the Regional Water Authority and the sale of Aquarion‑owned assets; board members said they plan follow‑up with the RWA CEO to discuss local water‑service impacts.