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Proposed FY27 Selectmen’s budget shows several staffing upgrades and a higher BOE ask
Summary
First Selectman Denise Raap presented the Selectmen’s proposed FY27 budget with targeted increases (new auditor, full-time finance and assessor positions, planning staff), a BOE operating increase, and a town-wide spending figure of $35.7 million that the Board of Finance will review before setting the mill rate.
The Litchfield Board of Finance reviewed the Selectmen’s proposed FY27 budget on March 18, with First Selectman Denise Raap explaining department-level changes and several staffing upgrades the Selectmen included in their recommendation.
Raap highlighted increases including a 27.32% rise in the Board of Finance line to cover a new auditor; a planned change in Finance staffing from part time to full time (a 16.96% increase) to assist with auditing and grant writing; a full‑time Tax Assessor position (39.20% increase); and increases for Registrars and Elections to accommodate early voting and additional poll workers. Carol Bramley, speaking on planning, said Litchfield has not had a certified planner for ten years and requested an additional $10,000 to address updated legislation and review major applications.
The proposed Selectmen’s budget lists total town spending at $35,726,248, up from last year’s $31,834,108 (a 4.7% change). Raap and board members noted the Board of Education operating budget is up $735,182; the transcript records discussion about pending ECS funds that could modestly reduce the local share but that the exact figure was not finalized.
Board members discussed public safety items in the budget: a $275,000 constable line was presented as optional and described as representing roughly a 0.2 mill impact if adopted; the Police budget as presented includes funding for three resident troopers. The Region 20 deficit of about $430,000 was raised as an outstanding concern; Finance Director Amaechi Obi and Chair Sam Olmstead agreed to coordinate how that deficit and related invoices will be reported going forward.
The Selectmen’s budget had been presented for review only; the Board of Finance has not set the mill rate and will consider the full budget package after the formal budget hearing and any additional information on ECS or Region 20 items.
