Farmington Says 'Yes,' OKs Budget/Town Hall Project

FARMINGTON, CT — Voters got to work recently and approved three key questions on how their tax dollars will be spent, saying "yes" to a town/school spending package and a plan to turn the old high school into a new town hall.

But, based on assessment adjustments on property values due to the recently completed revaluation, many taxpayers can expect some sticker shock this summer when the tax bills arrive.

In all, Farmington voters approved three separate issues at the polls last week at an April 27 referendum.

Approved by the town were:

• A combined town/school budget of $121.266 million for 2023-24, an overall spending plan that is the same as the current budget.

The vote on this was 1,404 "yes" votes and 484 "no" votes.

The recently completed property revaluation will result in a proposed mill rate smaller than the current one, 5.11 mills smaller to a proposed rate of 24.21.

But that doesn't mean taxes will get smaller, because, while the rate of taxes is shrinking by 17.43 percent, the average residential assessments have increased by about 33 percent.

It has prompted a general shift in the tax burden from commercial to residential property owners.

Local officials said taxes, on average, will go up by $648.09 for the average homeowner.

For this individual homeowner, 2023 taxes would be $7,298.13. A year ago, they were $6,650.04, according to the Town of Farmington.

• A $4 million plan for repairs and reconstruction of seveal town roads and drainage systems in Farmington. Funding would be bonded.

This referendum question was approved with 1,634 "yes" votes and 261 "no" votes.

• Spending $16 million to turn the old Farmington High School building, the part known as the "1928 building," into a new Farmington Town Hall.

The approved referendum question also mandates $7 million be taken from Farmington's federal American Rescue Plan Act funding (a Covid-era revenue package to help towns recover from negative economic impacts from the pandemic), with the remainder of the dollar amount bonded.

This vote was approved at the polls 1,264 "yes" votes to 625 "no" tallies, according to the figures.

Most of the old FHS site is being torn down after a new Farmington High School is built, a $135.6 million endeavor already approved by voters in June 2021.

For the official results of the Farmington referendum, click on this link.

From April 25: 'Farmington Voters To Decide Budget, Huge Tax Increase'

From March 31: 'Old FHS/New Town Hall Project Topic Of Farmington Starbucks Forum'