Canton's Third Budget Referendum Comes Amid Tax Decrease

CANTON, CT — Canton voters will return to the polls next week to decide a revised town budget after two earlier referendums failed.

The next budget referendum is scheduled for Tuesday, June 23, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Canton Community Center, 40 Dyer Ave..

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Following the most recent vote, the Canton Board of Finance met June 8 and approved another $950,000 in reductions to the proposed fiscal year 2026-27 budget, according to town officials.

The latest changes bring the proposed budget to $52,834,729, a 3.97% increase over the current year’s approved budget of $50,816,923.

The original proposed budget was $55,089,729, before a first round of $1.305 million in reductions and the additional $950,000 cut approved June 8.

The revised proposal would set the mill rate at 33.20, down 0.30 mills from last year.

Town officials said that represents a 0.89% mill rate decrease and an average annual decrease of $82.29 for a home assessed at $275,000.

The estimate does not include the ongoing property revaluation phase-in.

The June 8 reductions include $62,605 from town operations, $400,000 from the Canton Board of Education, $50,000 from the Canton Board of Finance and $437,395 from capital improvements.

Town officials said the changes were made in response to voter feedback while preserving core services, including education, public safety and infrastructure.

The town also reported an estimated revenue deficit of $269,464 at the end of the current fiscal year.

Residents seeking to review their individual tax impact can use the tax calculator available through the town website.

Town officials encouraged residents to participate in the upcoming vote, saying the referendum will determine the town’s path forward for the next fiscal year.

For all information on the new Canton budget plan, as well as potential tax impacts, click on this link.