Simsbury selectmen approve $30.63 million FY27 operating budget, boost SVAA and fund CIP

The Simsbury Board of Selectmen on March 2 approved the Boards 20262027 operating budget of $30,628,420 and a Capital Improvement Program totaling $9,541,925.

The boards approval included a set of line-item changes the board adopted in the meeting: reductions to legal services and several outside-service grants, targeted increases for economic development and emergency management, and a $140,000 operating increase to support SVAA (Simsbury Volunteer Ambulance Association) funding. Finance Director Amy Meriwether told the board the changes left a net tax increase of about 2.15% after revenue offsets.

"Before all the changes the tax increase was 2.18%. With all the changes in expenses the increase was $117,000. The increase to revenues is $168,000. Therefore, with all changes the increase in taxes is 2.15%," Meriwether said.

The board approved a motion to use $200,000 from reserves for an SVAA capital project and authorized the Town Manager to pursue an ownership-and-leaseback arrangement designed to minimize town risk, subject to the Town Attorneys review. That motion passed unanimously.

Town Manager Marc Nelson framed several revenue pressures the budget addresses, including what he described as a $500,000 projected shortfall in investment income and a 14% increase in healthcare costs. "Those two things are about $800,000," Nelson said, noting staff were adjusting revenue assumptions accordingly.

The board also approved a package of capital additions to the CIP, ranging from greenway improvements and playground/field irrigation to district network infrastructure and large items such as SHS turf and track resurfacing ($2.2 million) and roof repairs. The CIP lists specific funding sources (bonds, cash, grants, sewer use) for each project.

Police staffing needs were discussed in detail; Police Chief Nicholas Boulter and the Town Manager described a union request to add a dispatcher to reduce workload and overtime. Chief Boulter said a new full-time dispatcher position would cost approximately $71,000 plus benefits and that the department currently had five vacant sworn positions.

Several departmental budgets were approved individually, including the Water Pollution Control budget ($5,914,158), the Residential Property budget ($425,450), the Parks and Recreation Fund ($3,032,788), and Debt Service ($9,064,275). Each motion was seconded and passed by the board.

On other outside-service funding, the board agreed to reduce or reallocate grants to organizations including Interval House, Theatre Guild, Gifts of Love, Modern Vintage Opera and others while increasing the Towns contribution to SVAA. The board also approved sending a slate of projects to the Planning Commission under Connecticut General Statutes Section 8-24.

The board ended its budget session by adopting the operating budget motion, which Mr. Beal moved and Mr. Paine seconded; all members voted in favor.

The board left some items for follow-up: Mr. Beal requested an executive-session review and a future agenda item with financial details for the Simsbury Main Street Partnership; staff were asked to prepare job descriptions for any personnel reallocation tied to economic development.

The board adjourned at 9:50 p.m.