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New Milford council adopts $128.2 million budget; mill rate falls to 23.65 mills after small cuts
Summary
The New Milford Town Council on a 6–1 vote approved a $128,204,894 budget for fiscal 2026–27 after adopting two small health-insurance-driven reductions that together lowered the townwide mill rate to 23.65 mills. Ellen recorded the lone dissent.
The New Milford Town Council approved the 2026–27 municipal budget on a 6–1 vote, adopting a $128,204,894 spending plan after two small amendments tied to lower-than-expected health-insurance premiums.
The vote finalized a package that consists of a town-side budget of $49,581,236 and an education budget of $78,773,658 after the council accepted a $50,000 reduction on the town side and a $100,000 reduction to the Board of Education request. Olga, a town staff member who provided the figures, said the changes produced a proposed mill rate of 23.65 mills.
Why it matters: the adopted totals set the municipal spending level that will be presented at an upcoming town meeting and, if required by process, put to referendum. Small adjustments tied to insurance savings changed the calculated mill rate but left the overall budget framework intact.
Details of the decisions and votes follow. The council began its budget discussion noting that town and Board of Education budgets are considered separately and then combined. The council recorded an initial combined figure of $128,354,894 before adopting the insurance-related reductions that trimmed the total to $128,204,894.
On a motion to reduce the town-side budget by $50,000 to reflect lower health-insurance estimates, staff reported the mill rate would fall from 23.68 to 23.67 mills with that amendment; the council approved that amendment by voice. A separate motion to reduce the Board of Education request by $100,000 drew more discussion, including an attempt by committee member Ellen to reverse that reduction; Ellen did not secure a second to her motion and the body proceeded to vote. The $100,000 Board of Education reduction carried with Ellen recorded in opposition.
Olga, the town staff member responsible for the figures, reported the totals after both reductions: a combined townwide budget of $128,204,894 and a resulting proposed mill rate of 23.65 mills. The chair then moved to adopt the 2026–27 budget at that amount; the motion passed 6–1, with Ellen the only dissenting vote.
Procedural next steps announced at the meeting included a Board of Finance special meeting the first business day after the adoption to formally set the mill rate and a town meeting to set the referendum date. Officials suggested holding any referendum on Saturday, May 16, to increase voter participation.
A council member offered a brief public expression of thanks to staff and department heads for the budget work, and the council adjourned after a motion by Walter and a second from Brian.
Ending: The council adopted the budget and set steps to finalize the mill rate and (if applicable) place the budget before voters; the Board of Finance will meet the first business day after adoption to set the mill rate, and the town meeting will set the referendum date.
