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Cheshire council lowers proposed mill rate after $1.3M in state aid; average homeowner increase cut to about $521
Summary
After the state implementer bill added roughly $1.3 million in aid, Cheshire's council voted to reduce the FY2026-27 mill rate to 31.36, lowering the projected average tax increase for a typical household. The change is contingent on the governor's signature of the state bill.
The Cheshire Town Council voted unanimously to amend its FY2026-27 operating budget and reduce the adopted mill rate to 31.36 mills, contingent on the governor signing the state's implementer legislation.
Town Manager/finance staff explained that the town received an additional $1,314,983 from the state compared with its previously adopted budget assumptions. Council staff said that revision lowers the average annual tax increase for a household with two average vehicles from about $624 to approximately $521.
Town Manager Sean Kimble summarized the change and the schedule implications: the adjustment allows the tax collector to prepare tax bills on time and is contingent on the governor’s signature; if the governor does not sign the bill, the resolution will be null and void.
Why it matters: Councilors welcomed the additional state funding but emphasized concern that the aid is largely one-time and does not resolve longer-term structural issues in the education cost-sharing formula or property tax reliance. Several council members thanked the local state delegation for securing the funds and said they would continue to press for a more sustainable funding approach.
Outcome and next step: The council approved resolution 051226-2 unanimously and asked staff to continue monitoring state policy developments and to plan for next year’s budget with the possibility that supplemental state aid may not recur.
