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Shelton adopts FY 2026–27 budget, cuts mill rate to 15.51 amid sharp debate over school costs
Summary
The Board of Aldermen adopted an amended fiscal-year budget beginning July 1, 2026, and set the mill rate at 15.51. Debate centered on Board of Education requests, special-education state funding changes, and a commitment to quarterly school budget reviews.
The Board of Aldermen of the City of Shelton adopted the amended budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, approving the mayor's proposed figures and a mill rate reported at 15.51.
Mayor Marc Aireddy opened the meeting and read a proclamation before the board took up the budget. An alderman who moved the budget (identified in the transcript as John) read a series of revenue and expenditure adjustments and called the motion. After discussion, the chair declared the motion carried by voice vote.
Why it matters: Board members spent most of the discussion on education funding. John characterized the Board of Education's original request (more than $10 million in new spending) as "an ill thought out wish list" and said confusion in the budget process hampered decision-making. John and others argued recent state actions — including a change limiting special-education excess cost funding to 68% — shift roughly $1.3 million in costs to the city, a point he called unfair to municipal taxpayers.
Mayor Aireddy pushed back on the school budget presentation and noted enrollment has declined from about 6,600 students to about 4,400 over a multi-year period. "When you started out asking for over $9,000,000, you know what? I think you have some explaining to do," he said, adding that the city must focus resources on classroom priorities.
Board response and oversight steps: The adopted budget was described as providing a $2.1 million increase for education over the prior year. The board committed to quarterly Board of Education budget reviews led by city treasurer Greg O'Leary to improve oversight and understanding of school spending.
Procedural note: Alderman Mike explained the charteral veto process — five aldermen may approve a budget, but the mayor may veto, and a veto override requires six votes — underscoring that disagreements could change the final outcome.
Outcome and next steps: The board approved the budget by a voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript. Officials said they will monitor state and federal developments affecting special-education and other education funding and review budget implementation quarterly.
Ending: With the budget adopted, the board proceeded to several capital and grant items on the agenda and later moved into executive session to address confidential matters.
