Berlin Budget Vote Is Next Week; Taxes Could Go Up; What You Need To Know

Berlin voters will decide on a $110.1M budget, a 3.32% increase, and a mill rate hike, along with an advisory question if they vote 'no.'

By Michael Lemanski, Patch Staff

Apr 24, 2026 7:24 am EDT

Berlin voters have some work to do early next week, with a budget referendum that will decide spending and taxes for fiscal year 2026-27. (Tim Jensen/Patch)

BERLIN, CT — Voters have some work to do early next week, as they will decide both town and school spending plans, both of which will increase their taxes this year.

A budget referendum will take place on Tuesday, April 28, on a proposed $110.1 million town/school budget for the 2026–27, with polls open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at three polling locations across town.

The combined proposal totals $110,081,603, representing a 3.32% overall increase in spending.

That includes a 3.28% increase in the general government budget and a 3.35% increase in the board of education budget.

The Berlin Board of Education’s adopted budget totals $57,481,059, an increase of $2,913,151, or 5.34%, over the current operating budget.

If approved, the plan would raise the town’s mill rate by 0.63 mills, a 2.05% increase from the prior fiscal year.

Town officials estimate that a homeowner with a property valued at $345,000 would see an annual tax increase of about $152.

Officials also reported a 2.08% increase in the town’s grand list compared with the previous year.

Berlin Mayor Mark Kaczynski provided guidance Thursday on completing the ballot, particularly the advisory question tied to the referendum.

Kaczynski said. “If you are voting 'yes,' that you approve the budget, do not answer the advisory question. Only if you are voting 'no,' that you do not approve the budget, should you answer the advisory question. You will indicate your reason for voting no, that you feel the budget is either too high or too low.”

The advisory question is nonbinding and is intended to capture voter sentiment if the budget is rejected.

Polling locations are:

District 1: Willard School, 1088 Norton Road
District 2: Griswold School, 133 Heather Lane
District 3: Hubbard School, 139 Grove Street

The full proposed budget is available on the town’s website.

If voters approve the budget, it will take effect for the 2026–27 fiscal year.

If rejected, town officials would need to revise the proposal and schedule a subsequent referendum.

To find out your polling place in Berlin, click on this link.