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Avon officials cite state vehicle-assessment changes and lost one-time revenues as drivers of proposed mill-rate rise
Summary
Town leaders presented the FY2025–26 requested budget and said changes to how cars are assessed under state law and declines in one-time revenue sources explain a proposed mill-rate increase residents will see as about 3.7%. Officials outlined debt, capital and education spending drivers ahead of a May referendum.
The Avon Board of Finance and Town Council presented the requested FY2025–26 budget on April 7 and said the mill-rate increase residents will see on tax bills is about 3.7% once state assessment changes are accounted for.
Town Council Chair Dan Polhamus said the difference stems largely from a state change in how cars are assessed. "You're not assessed by the blue book value anymore. There's a set depreciation schedule," he said, adding the town chose to start at 90% of that schedule so this year's car tax levy would be more comparable to last year's. Finance Chair Houston Putnam Lowry and slides shown at the hearing quantified the townwide request: total requested expenditures across all funds of $118,782,594 and a proposed property-tax levy of $99,281,440.
Officials also pointed to several budget drivers: a higher debt-service budget (requested debt service of $3,486,198), capital projects totaling $4,567,700 and education operating increases. The presentation noted a loss of roughly $2.8 million in prior-year general fund revenue feeding upward pressure on the levy. "This puts upward pressure on the property tax levy and mill rate," the slides stated.
The town will hold a Budget Workshop on April 9, an Annual Budget Meeting on May 5 and a referendum on May 14, with staff and council members urging residents to review materials and vote.
