Board of Finance sets mill rate at 38.45, uses $5 million from fund balance; city, school budgets adopted

The Torrington Board of Finance voted on June 4 to adopt the 2025–26 city budget at $71,865,471 and the Board of Education operating budget at $78,722,698, set the general mill rate at 38.45 while authorizing use of $5,000,000 from fund balance to offset taxpayer impact, and fixed the motor vehicle mill rate at the state-mandated cap of 32.46.

Why it matters: The board’s actions follow a grand list revaluation that drove large, uneven assessment increases — particularly on residential properties — and left municipal officials weighing a range of fund-balance scenarios to blunt steep tax hikes for households. Board members debated the tradeoff between immediate taxpayer relief and preserving reserves for future uncertainties, including potential state or federal funding changes and emergency needs.

Board actions and votes - The Board of Education operating budget for 2025–26 was adopted at $78,722,698. Motion moved by Mr. Anderson and seconded by Mr. Bayes; roll-call vote recorded six yes, zero no (Miss Inocido: yes; Miss Pesky: yes; Mr. Anderson: yes; Mr. Bayes: yes; Mr. Wright: yes; Miss Trapp: yes). - The Board of Education capital budget was adopted at $0. Motion moved by Mr. Anderson and seconded by Mr. Bayes; roll-call vote unanimous (six yes). - The city operating budget for 2025–26 was adopted at $71,865,471. Motion moved by Mr. Anderson and seconded by Miss Pesky; roll-call vote passed 5–1 (Miss Inocido: yes; Miss Pesky: yes; Mr. Anderson: yes; Mr. Bayes: no; Mr.…