Budget With ‘Significant’ Tax Increase Narrowly Approved In Ellington

ELLINGTON, CT — Voters narrowly approved a $71.2 million budget for fiscal year 2024-25 in the town’s second referendum on Tuesday.

The revised budget was approved by a 675 to 635 vote, two weeks after voters rejected a proposed $71.6 million budget.

Ellington Town Administrator Matthew Reed and Superintendent of Schools Scott Nicol issued a joint letter to the community on Wednesday to “communicate this budget’s story and impact.”

Read the full letter below:

On Tuesday, June 11, 2024 the citizens of Ellington passed the second attempt at the Town’s budget referendum by a slim margin—675 to 635. This 1.7 mill rate tax increase was reduced from the originally proposed 2.6 mill rate (a 4.96% increase over the last fiscal year). Unfortunately, reports framing this reduction as a 35% decrease were misleading to the voting public. Transparency for Ellington citizens is to acknowledge that this tax increase is significant, especially for those on fixed incomes or in financial distress. Clearly, not every resident is pleased the budget passed.

The voters' investment in this budget process is to be respected. Grounded in the Seeds of Civility with the intention for the Ellington Family to reflect and move forward, it is important for the town and school district administration to communicate this budget’s story and impact.

When a ‘no’ vote gets supercharged by a political party—which is everyone’s right to do so—it is very challenging to reverse course. In this case, the citizens narrowly deemed the proposed budget as acceptable. This comes at a predictable cost to the services and programs the Town of Ellington offers.

Newly Revamped Board of Finance Makes Tough Decisions—Plans for the Future

This coming Fall and Winter when Ellington citizens rake leaves and dispose of Christmas trees, the Town will not pick them up and residents will have to arrange and pay for curbside removal. This impact is similar when disposing of mattresses and tires. And, when parents sign their children up for Ellington Parks and Recreation programs they will find the cost has increased.

These are not the only tough budget reductions and decisions made by the new Board of Finance. Financial risks were taken in recognizing more revenue to offset costs to residents. Yet, the mill rate stabilization fund was maintained which will provide better financial stability for taxpayers in the future—mitigating the possibility of another fiscal cliff.

Bi-Partisan Support Preserves the School System

It is valuable to recognize the bi-partisan preservation of the Ellington Board of Education’s portion of the budget.

Although the school district’s budget is fiscally responsible with a 3.62% increase, the school administration recognizes that future budget cycles may be very challenging—for the Town’s side of the budget may not be able to shoulder the load year after year.

No doubt, messy budget processes are a rarity in Ellington. When all parties work together, the path forward for the Town is bright and filled with opportunity. This is a great place to live for senior citizens, those raising a family and all others.

We wish all Ellington citizens an enjoyable summer with family, friends, and loved ones.

Please do not hesitate to contact Ellington Town Administrator, Mr. Matthew Reed at mreed@ellington-ct.gov, or Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Scott Nicol at snicol@ellingtonschools.net with questions.