Berlin Taxes To Increase, Budget Hearing Is Tuesday

BERLIN, CT — Local taxpayers next week will have the opportunity to give local officials input on how their tax dollars are spent and, indirectly, how much they'll spend in taxes.

So far, early budget proposals in town have taxpayers facing a 2.2 percent hike in taxes when the bills come out this summer.

On Tuesday, March 26, the Town of Berlin will host its annual budget hearing at 6 p.m. inside the Berlin High School auditorium, 139 Patterson Way, Berlin.

There, residents will be able to offer input on what the proposed 2024-25 town and school budgets entail and, also, how much they'll have to pay in taxes based on those budgets.

According to the latest budget figures being pitched, the combined general government/school district budget is about $105.9 million (6.3 percent larger than current spending).

That spending plan includes a $54.1 million school budget (6.4 percent larger) and a $51.8 million town general government budget (6.3 percent increase).

According to town officials, Berlin taxpayers will see a mill rate of 30.1, which is a 0.65-mill increase or a 5.82 percent hike in what taxpayers will pay the local tax office this year.

If a home is assessed at $250,000, the taxpayer's bill this year will be $162.50 more than what was paid in taxes a year ago.

The public hearing on Tuesday is just one step of many toward the final budget outcome, which is April 30 when voters will determine Berlin's fiscal future at the polls.

The Town of Berlin website has a special page dedicated to budget matters and it includes past budgets, current budget proposals, and the specific meeting timelines for the next few weeks leading up to the referendum.

For more information on the Berlin budget and the budget meeting schedule, click on this link.