Somers selectmen set temporary mill rate under state law after revaluation explained

The Somers Board of Selectmen voted on June 18 to set a temporary mill rate of 23.46 under the authority of Connecticut General Statutes §12-123 after a detailed presentation on the town’s recent revaluation and fiscal position.

Town finance officials told the board that Somers completed a required revaluation with an effective date of Oct. 1, 2025, that raised average residential assessments roughly 42.85% and changed the composition of the grand list. Brian Wissinger, the town CFO, explained that while assessments increased, the town previously relied on one-time fund-balance transfers to keep mill rates lower; that practice created a structural shortfall of about $2.78 million that the current budget must address.

Wissinger outlined two practical options: raise taxes to the mill rate necessary to maintain current operations or enact further cuts to remove recurring costs. He said that, to maintain the town’s current operations (transfer station schedule, senior center hours, town hall staffing) the town would need a mill rate of approximately 23.46. "Reval is not the enemy. Poor taxation is the enemy," he said, summarizing that prior postponement of tax increases by using reserves was the primary driver of the current gap.

Under the statute cited, the selectmen may make a rate bill sufficient to meet current expenses when a town has failed to lay necessary taxes. The board discussed legal advice, the town charter’s requirements for repeated referendums, and how any future approved referendum budget would be reconciled with the temporary base mill rate. Officials clarified that if a later budget requires a different mill rate, the difference is handled via credits or supplemental bills as permitted by statute and charter practice.

After deliberation the board moved, seconded and voted to adopt the temporary base mill rate; the record at the meeting showed a 2–2–1 split in members’ vocal responses and the chair declared the motion passed. Town staff said the temporary rate will allow the town to pay obligations due in the near term while the board of finance and other elected boards pursue the referendum process already scheduled for late June and mid-July.

The board also set a referendum date (June 30, 2026, with a July 14 backup) on the existing proposed budget; officials said if voters approve a different budget the board of finance will reconcile collections and any overpayment will be credited to taxpayers in January.