Fairfield RTM passes FY 2025-2026 Budget Along Party Lines

I am proud of our Democratic caucus for unanimously passing a smart sensible budget at tonight’s RTM meeting. I am disappointed that none of our Republican colleagues joined us. They failed to offer an explanation to the public about why they did not support a fiscally sound blueprint for the next fiscal year.

This was a difficult budget to navigate. No department received all the funding they requested.

Some of the headwinds we faced included very modest grand list growth and a much larger than expected increase in education spending.

Despite those challenges, the mil rate increase is below the rate of inflation for the second year in a row. Thank you to our First Selectman, our majorities on the BOS and BOF, and the finance team who all worked hard to produce a budget that reflects our values, a vision for our future and our commitment to taxpayers.

Essential services are funded including public safety and an investment in our regional 911 call center. We are on track with Capital improvements and have made critical investments in long overdue infrastructure projects.

Our fiscal house has been put in much better order with smart evaluation and oversight of our operations which is already saving taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars. With more savings projected.

We identified areas of town government that needed to be made more efficient and transparent, and in doing so we shored up areas with insufficient fiscal controls that are now finally being addressed.

We have been steadfast supporters of our schools and the services that make our town so special. Including the benefit of better Capital Planning and Town Planning that will put us on a path to sustainable growth and economic success.

When under pressure to keep taxes reasonable for Fairfield taxpayers we have not shied away from making tough decisions and putting fiscal protections in place. We will also be navigating deep cuts at the federal level and will implement strategies to address the effect on our local budget. These measures will be paying big dividends to our community as we keep Fairfield an affordable place to live, raise a family and run a business.

Elizabeth Zezima

RTM Democratic Majority Leader