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Mayor Roberto Alves proposes 2026–27 budget with $175 million for schools, small mill-rate increase
Summary
Mayor Roberto Alves on April 7 unveiled a fiscal 2026–27 proposal that would fully fund the Danbury Board of Education at $175,000,000, raise the mill rate to 25.37 (about 1.5%) and add sworn public-safety positions while citing a roughly $120 million rise in the grand list.
Mayor Roberto Alves presented his proposed fiscal 2026–27 budget to the City Council on April 7, saying the plan maintains investments in education, public safety and infrastructure while limiting tax increases.
Alves said the city's grand list grew by more than $120,000,000 thanks to new and expanding businesses, producing an estimated $3,000,000 in additional property-tax revenue. "With more projects under construction, we look forward to our grand list continue growth," Alves said.
The proposal would fully fund the Board of Education's request at $175,000,000 and set a proposed mill rate of 25.37, an increase Alves described as about 1.5 percent. "That's an approximate 1.5% increase," he said, adding the change would amount to about "25¢ a day" for the average homeowner.
Alves highlighted public-safety increases, proposing to add five sworn police positions this year and to expand staffing over time. He said the public-safety operating budget would total roughly $48,400,000 with $1,300,000 in capital improvements. "Public safety is a major priority of my administration and the budget I'm presenting tonight continues the trend of public safety investments," Alves said.
On infrastructure, Alves proposed continuing a multi-year paving program that he said will repave 15 miles of roadway this year and invest $14,300,000 in public works. He also said the budget includes funding for a police academy in Danbury and resources to advance drainage, water and sewer improvements and a downtown streetscape program.
Alves warned of fiscal pressures: an appellate court has ordered the city to pay approximately $20,000,000 in litigation related to a local business, and he cited a 7 percent increase in healthcare costs and other inflationary pressures.
The council referred many budget-line items to public hearings and committee review; Alves said department heads and council members will meet throughout the month to refine spending decisions. The council is expected to review the proposed budget during the coming weeks and hold public hearings before any final votes.
