Darien RTM Approves $165.5M Town Budget

DARIEN, CT — The Darien Representative Town Meeting this week approved a $165.5 million town budget, which includes a $114.4 million Board of Education spending.

The Darien Times reported that the final approved mill rate was 17.61, a 2.21 percent increase from last year’s budget. The mill rate is used to calculate property and vehicle tax.

The majority of Monday's budget vote centered around whether or not to decrease the Board of Finance's contingency budget, which is used for emergency spending, from $250,000 to $175,000, The Darien Times reported.

The cut was recommended by RTM Finance and Budget Committee Chair Jack Davis, who said allocated funds from the contingency budget rarely exceeded $175,000. Opponents of the cut said it would affect the town and the Board of Education, and some felt the cut was proposed at the 11th hour, The Darien Times said.

Ultimately, the cut was approved with 53 in favor, 25 opposed with an abstention.

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