Danbury Mayor's Budget Would Lower Taxes 17%, Fully Fund Schools

DANBURY, CT — Mayor Dean Esposito's proposed 2023-24 budget would lower the tax rate by 4.89 mills to an historic 23.33, gifting property owners with a 17 percent reduction in taxes.

The mayor's proposed spending plan would also fully fund the Board of Education's ask of $150 million. Spending by the schools (excluding capital) would increase by $9 million.

Esposito presented his budget to the City Council Tuesday night.

The total proposed general fund expenditure plan for FY 2023-24, including the BOE spend, is $295 million. This represents an increase of $18.25 million over the current spending plan, a 6 percent increase over the current $277 million budget.

In addition to the complete funding for schools, the principal budget lines driving the increase include the addition of five new police officers, four Fire Department Captains, a 5 percent increase in health insurance costs for active municipal workers and retirees, and a 7 percent increase in city workers' wages.

A public hearing on the budget will be scheduled before the end of April.