EAST HAVEN, CT — The East Haven Town Council approved a $116.9 million budget for the 2027 fiscal year Thursday. The final spending plan reduces the tax increase originally proposed by Mayor Joseph A. Carfora after the town identified new revenue and made "targeted adjustments" during the budget review process, according to town officials.
The approved budget totals $116,980,960, compared with $110,716,325 last year, representing an overall spending increase of approximately 5.6 percent, according to the town.
The adopted mill rate is 35.78 mills, up from 33.44 mills last year, an increase of 2.34 mills, or approximately 7 percent. The final rate is lower than the mayor’s original proposal, which called for a 2.81-mill increase before additional revenue and reductions were incorporated, according to the town.
Carfora noted that the town’s overall budget increase is lower than the increase in the mill rate, pointing to the difference between municipal spending growth and the tax rate needed to fund services.
"The mill rate does not tell the entire story by itself," Carfora said. "The total budget increase is 5.6 percent, while the mill rate increase is about 7 percent. That difference matters. We are not spending recklessly. We are responding to real costs, maintaining services, and making sure East Haven remains financially stable."
During the budget process, the town reduced the proposed increase by $677,488, officials said, "Through a combination of departmental adjustments and newly identified revenue. Those changes included $109,500 in off-track betting revenue, $190,032 related to solar power, a $250,000 adjustment to the Board of Education allocation, a $200,000 reduction in budgeted employee health insurance costs, and a $115,913 timing adjustment in the police salary account for positions that are not expected to be filled until January.
"This was not an easy budget, but it was a responsible one," Carfora said, noting the final budget reflects the town’s effort to "balance rising costs with responsible fiscal management while preserving core services."
"Like communities across Connecticut, East Haven is facing rising costs in education, health insurance, public safety, utilities, and basic operations," Carfora said. "Throughout this process, we worked to reduce the impact on taxpayers wherever possible, while still protecting essential services and continuing the progress our residents expect."
Carfora said the final budget is lower than the original proposal because the administration, Board of Finance, and Town Council reviewed the numbers carefully and made responsible adjustments.
"It is important to be clear that the police salary adjustment is not a reduction in public safety," Carfora said. "It reflects the timing of three added positions that are not expected to be filled until January, which creates a partial-year savings in the budget. There is no reduction in police services. This is exactly the kind of careful budgeting we should be doing, matching expenses to when they are actually expected to occur."
The motor vehicle tax rate remains fixed at 32.46 mills.
The approved budget will take effect for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
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