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Monroe first selectman proposes FY2026-27 budget with 1.06 mill increase, cites $49.9M grand-list growth
Summary
First Selectman Terrence P. Rooney presented a proposed FY2026-27 budget that would raise the mill rate from 28.67 to 29.73 (a 1.06-mill increase), citing nearly $49.9 million in grand-list growth that he said would add about $1.5 million in tax revenue; the proposal includes a roughly $2 million net increase for education and a planned return of funds to taxpayers.
First Selectman Terrence P. Rooney presented the town's proposed fiscal year 2026'27 budget at the Monroe Town Council meeting on Feb. 9, saying the plan aims to minimize tax impacts while funding key services.
Rooney told the council that Monroe's grand list grew by about $49.9 million, which he said will yield roughly $1.5 million in additional tax revenue. He proposed a mill rate of 29.73, up 1.06 mills from the current 28.67; the administration estimated that change would raise the average household tax bill by about $30 to $35 per month based on a median home value of $524,740.
The budget proposal includes what Rooney characterized as a roughly $2 million net increase for the board of education (reduced from the BOE request) and additional municipal investments for public safety, infrastructure, parks and employee retention. He cited sharply higher health-insurance costs driven by a state partnership plan and ongoing collective-bargaining obligations as major expenditure drivers.
Rooney said the town has maintained a strong unassigned fund balance and proposed returning $276,000 to taxpayers from the general fund while leaving the balance above the recommended range for bonding capacity. He described the proposal as a 'best-case scenario' intended to keep taxpayer impact low while meeting contractual and operational needs.
The first selectman outlined the budget review schedule: the town council will deliver its municipal budget to the board of finance by March 9 and submit to the board by March 15; a townwide budget referendum is scheduled for March 5 (as noted for public participation) and further budget workshops and hearings will follow.
Why it matters: The proposed mill-rate increase and health-insurance-driven cost pressures will frame the committee-level budget reviews and public hearings over the next month. Council members and residents who spoke at the meeting cited the BOE's constrained budget and rising insurance and salary costs as key considerations.
What happens next: The council will hold joint budget meetings and department workshops in the coming weeks; motions regarding the municipal budget are scheduled for the council's March 9 meeting.
