ELLINGTON, CT — Ellington voters rejected the town’s proposed 2026-27 budget Tuesday night, sending officials back to work on possible reductions before a second referendum.
According to a preliminary count posted by the town Tuesday night, the budget failed 1,049 to 891.
Members of the Board of Finance discussed their next steps after the vote, according to a town post. A special meeting has been scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, May 28, for further deliberations and reductions.
The next referendum is scheduled for June 9.
The rejected budget proposal totaled $77.56 million, an increase of about $4.29 million, or 5.86 percent, over the adjusted approved budget for the current fiscal year, according to the town’s budget document. The proposal included a general government increase of about $2.47 million and a Board of Education increase of about $1.35 million.
Town budget documents said major drivers on the town side included debt tied to the Windermere School renovation and addition project, public safety staffing needs, negotiated wage increases and rising health insurance costs.
The proposed mill rate was listed at 26.4 mills for real estate, personal property and motor vehicles. The lower rate reflects the town’s 2025 revaluation, which increased the Grand List by 46.86 percent, according to the budget document.
The town said the Board of Finance will take up the budget again Thursday before voters are asked to consider a revised proposal June 9.
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