Killingworth board raises mill rate 2.25 mills after rejecting delay tied to school referendum

The Killingworth Board of Finance voted 5–1 to raise the town mill rate by 2.25 mills for fiscal year 2026–27 after rejecting a proposal to delay the decision until area voters approved the regional school budget by referendum.

Chair Annie opened the early-morning meeting saying the purpose was “to discuss the mill rate and possibly or probably set the mill rate.” Committee member John Mancini moved to defer setting the rate until the electors had approved a Board of Education budget by referendum; he argued the board should “listen to our constituents” and noted a roughly $4,800 administrative cost to send supplemental tax bills, which he described as not compelling reason to set the rate immediately.

Marcel, a committee member who opposed the delay, said residents base personal budgets on the mill rate and warned that postponing a decision could produce a later supplemental tax bill that would anger taxpayers. “If we were to avoid doing this until we have a final…vote tally for the Board of Education budget, then the reality is that the townspeople are gonna get one tax bill in July and then inevitably the mill rate is gonna go up,” Marcel said.

Board members also debated the town’s cash reserves and capital needs. Several members said the town’s general fund was about $3.4 million and that a modest mill-rate increase would help move toward an internal target near $4.0 million to support a pay-as-you-go approach for capital purchases such as the planned fire truck. Steve said concerns about disenfranchising voters should weigh on the board’s decision-making: “If in fact there is disenfranchisement of people…that to me actually should trump all of the discussions,” he said.

The board first voted to amend Mancini’s motion to require approval by RSD 17 electors; that amendment carried. When the amended motion to defer was put to a vote, it failed 4–2 (Yes: Michael; John Mancini; No: Marcel; Bill; Steve; Annie). After additional attempts — including a failed motion to increase the rate by 2.5 mills — Marcel moved to increase the mill rate by 2.25 mills; Bill seconded the motion. Bill read the motion aloud: “The motion is to increase the mill rate for the town of Killingworth in fiscal year 26–27 by 2 and a quarter mills.”

The board approved that motion 5–1, with John Mancini the sole no vote. The adopted increase is intended to modestly bolster the general fund while avoiding a larger immediate tax shock to residents.

After the vote, Chair Annie thanked members for the discussion and adjourned the meeting. Steve asked that future meetings include an opportunity for public comment so residents can hear deliberations and participate.

What’s next: The board approved the 2.25-mill increase for fiscal year 2026–27; there was no formal statement in the meeting about subsequent administrative dates for billing or implementation timing.