Avon: Apathy Automatically Approves Budget

AVON, CT — Avon voters have a major decision to make Wednesday, when they will decide a spending plan for 2023-24 that also governs how much taxes they'll pay.

But, town officials warn, if an insufficient number of voter flex their democratic muscles at the polls, whatever choice is made will be moot. The budget passes regardless.

Avon's charter stipulates a voter turnout of 9 percent is required for a budget rejection to stand.

If voter turnout is less than 9 percent, "the budget that is voted upon is deemed to be approved, even if a majority of the votes cast are for the rejection of the budget," wrote town officials in a notice of Wednesday's referendum vote.

Polls are open at the Avon Senior Center, 635 West Avon Road, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday.

The combined town/school budget proposal is $110.1 million, a budget 3.62 percent larger than current spending, one that would also increase taxes.

At that level, the budget plan will require a tax hike, with the mill rate tentatively slated to grow from 34.61 to 35.39 mills, for a 0.78-mill tax increase.

It means if your home is assessed at $250,000, your taxes this year will increase by $195.

Early versions of the budget, actually, called for a 1.1-mill tax hike, but local leaders were able to adjust the budget to a mill rate increase of just 0.78.

For more information on the Town of Avon's budget referendum, click on this link.

From April 28: 'Avon's Budget And Tax Hike: What You Need To Know'