Cheshire Town Council Hears $140.9 Million Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Proposal
Town Council · Meeting of March 19, 2024
CT CHESHIRE — Cheshire Town Council hears $140.9 million fiscal 2025 budget proposal calling for average tax bill increase of $694. Town Manager Sean Kimball presented the general fund operating budget, a 5.97 percent increase over the current year, built around a proposed mill rate of 28.38 mills — down nearly 7 mills from 35.09 — due to a revaluation that added just under $1 billion in assessed value town-wide. The Board of Education's share is $90,067,609, up $5 million or 5.97 percent, with Superintendent Jeff Solon citing a $1 million-plus spike in medical benefits as the largest single driver and noting enrollment has already reached 4,213 students against a projection of 4,224 for next year.
Solon reported Cheshire ranked ninth in Connecticut on the state's District Performance Index while spending roughly $2,500 per pupil below the state average. Resident Ben Palladino urged the council to pass the full education budget, noting the men's foil team won the Connecticut state fencing championship this year, the program's first title since 2013, and that its club status has denied athletes formal recognition. The budget also includes $500,000 in remaining ARPA funds, leaving roughly $798,000 before the December 2024 commitment deadline, with a proposed adoption vote set for April 24.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 893 words
Source: the Town Council meeting of March 19, 2024, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
CHESHIRE — March 19, 2024 — The Cheshire Town Council opened its fiscal year 2025 budget season Tuesday night, receiving a $140.9 million general fund operating budget proposal from town staff and hearing a detailed presentation from the superintendent of schools on a $90 million education budget request.
Town Manager Sean Kimball presented the full proposed operating budget of $140,943,831, a $7.9 million or 5.97 percent increase over the current year. The budget calls for a proposed mill rate of 28.38 mills — down from the current 35.09 mills — a dramatic reduction driven by a town-wide revaluation that increased the average assessed residential property value by 37.3 percent. Despite the lower mill rate, the average Cheshire household would see its annual tax bill rise by $694, or 8.2 percent, to $9,173 under the proposal.
The Full Story
Kimball, identified in the transcript by his first name and consistent with his role presenting the town manager's budget, laid out a budget shaped by three major pressures: a $5 million-plus increase in the Board of Education request, a 24 percent spike in debt service tied to previously approved capital projects, and the scheduled expiration of federal ARPA pandemic relief funds. The budget includes $500,000 in remaining ARPA funds applied as general fund revenue. Roughly $798,000 in ARPA dollars would remain after that draw, with all commitments required by December 2024.
The revaluation, conducted on the October 1, 2023 grand list date, added just under $1 billion in assessed value to the town's rolls — a 30 percent increase — pushing the total grand list to just under $4 billion, or approximately $4 million per mill. Kimball said that aside from revaluation, the town posted organic grand list growth of $39 million, or 1.29 percent, consistent with recent years.
"The proposed mill rate is 28.38 mills. You'll see our current taxes at 35.09 mills, so almost 7 mills lower. But that is based on the last grand list, which had an average assessed value of $216,000." [No timestamp index supplied] — Sean Kimball, Town Manager
Superintendent of Schools Jeff Solon followed with a presentation on the Board of Education's $90,067,609 budget, a 5.97 percent increase over last year's $84.9 million. Solon said the single largest driver is medical benefits, where costs are projected to rise more than $1 million, and that absent the benefits increase the budget would have grown just 4.72 percent. The school system is projecting 4,224 students next year; as of March 18, enrollment already stood at 4,213. Solon said two new elementary schools expected to open in 2026 will allow the district to reduce enrollment pressure on Highland Elementary, which currently houses close to 900 students.
"If we spent the state average, our budget would increase by $10 million." [No timestamp index supplied] — Dr. Jeff Solon, Superintendent of Schools
The budget includes two new initiatives: elevating fencing to varsity sport status at a net cost of $19,000 after activity fees, and adding two teachers for a new elementary pre-engineering and environmental science program. Council Chair Peter Talbot confirmed with Solon that the current Board of Education budget does include fencing as a varsity sport.
Ben Palladino, a Cheshire resident at 25 LeClerc Avenue, addressed the council during the public comment period, urging passage of the full education budget and calling on the council to formally recognize fencing as a varsity sport. Palladino said the men's foil team won the Connecticut state fencing tournament this year, its first state championship since 2013, yet the program's club status has kept its athletes off local news coverage and out of the school's wall of honor.
"By recognizing fencing as a varsity sport, you will not only affect the current fencers in our program, but you will also validate athletes and their sacrifices from the past." [No timestamp index supplied] — Ben Palladino, public commenter
Chief Operating Officer Vin Masciana presented the five-year capital budget request for the schools, totaling approximately $55 million, with $4.07 million requested in year one for projects including roofing, HVAC, windows, and building improvements. No capital dollars are requested for the three elementary buildings coming offline in 2026.
The debt service picture drew attention during the presentation. Kimball projected debt service will rise to between 13 and 14 percent of the operating budget in coming years — roughly double its historical share — driven by the new school construction and recently bonded capital projects.
Why It Matters
For the average Cheshire homeowner, the revaluation creates a complicated picture: the mill rate drops nearly 7 mills, but higher assessed values mean most households will still pay more. Kimball calculated that properties whose assessed value rose less than about 27 to 28 percent may see flat or lower bills; those above 40 percent will pay significantly more than the average $694 increase. Condo owners appear to face the sharpest increases. At the same time, the budget contains a built-in revenue cliff: the $1 million motor vehicle tax cap reimbursement currently in revenue assumptions is unlikely to recur once the mill rate falls below 32 mills. The council has until April 30 to adopt the operating budget, with a proposed adoption vote set for April 24.
Key Motions & Votes
- Action: Motion to adjourn — Approved unanimously Tally: Approved unanimously
Source
Cheshire's community access TV: Town Council meeting, March 19, 2024