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Torrington council adopts $10.8 million 2027 budget, cites lower capital spending and rising operating costs
Summary
The Torrington City Council unanimously approved the 2027 fiscal year budget June 16, setting a $10.8 million total that cuts capital projects but raises operating expenses for inflation and wholesale power costs; council also authorized several related budget adjustments.
The Torrington City Council unanimously adopted the city's 2027 fiscal year budget June 16, approving an ordinance that sets the total at $10.8 million and takes effect July 1.
Clerk-Treasurer Lynette Strecker said the total budget represents a 20.4% decrease from fiscal year 2026, driven primarily by a reduction in capital construction projects. At the same time the operating budget increased about $1.6 million (6.32%) to cover inflation and higher wholesale power costs. Strecker said the city expects to fund 68.5% of planned capital work with grants and low-interest loans.
Strecker outlined major capital items included in the plan: a $1.4 million generator replacement at the water treatment plant, a $4.4 million waterline replacement (split roughly $2.2 million in FY27 and $2.2 million in FY28), sewer lining of about $1 million, remaining East E Street work ($1.6 million) and airport FBO building completion ($1.3 million). She also listed equipment purchases in FY27 including a street sweeper, forklift, digger truck and an ambulance.
The clerk-treasurer told the council the city projects its ending cash balance across all funds at $10.8 million as of June 30, 2027, and that some enterprise funds (airport, golf, pool, ambulance, cemetery) may fall short of target reserves. Strecker said a full cost-of-service study for the electric fund will be completed in FY27 to separate in-town and out-of-town costs and look at seasonal rate structure.
Mayor Doby read the appropriation ordinance by title and Councilman Deal moved to adopt it on third reading. The voice vote was unanimous with no nays.
The council also approved a separate resolution (2026-8) at the same meeting to amend the FY2026 budget for mid-year adjustments, a $371,359.06 grand-total adjustment that Strecker said reflected reversals and grant reimbursements related to a pool boiler purchase and other timing issues.
The council plans to monitor sales-tax revenue and other revenue streams during the year and revisit rates and projections if required.
The ordinance adoption completes the formal budget process; the FY27 fiscal year begins July 1.
