Results Revealed In Guilford Budget Referendum Vote

GUILFORD, CT — Guilford voters on Tuesday rejected the proposed fiscal year 2026-2027 budget at referendum.

The budget question failed by a vote of 1,708 in favor and 1,967 opposed, according to results from the town.

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However, the question of whether to fund upgrades to school facilities and future project design costs at $1.8 million, along with bonding, passed with 1,967 in favor and 1,693 opposed.

The proposed spending plan for 2026-2027 came in at $129.4 million, which would have resulted in a 4.08 percent increase in the town's mill rate.

In reviewing the budget, the Board of Finance voted to cut the Board of Education budget proposal by $300,000 and the Board of Selectmen budget proposal by $450,000. The cuts reduced the overall spending increase for the combined budgets from 6.21 percent to 5.59 percent.

Previously, the Board of Selectmen cut $1.3 million from the town budget proposal during its own deliberations, including eliminating a request from the Public Works Department for an additional maintainer and police department requests for an additional patrol officer and detective.

Salaries and utilities are driving proposed increases on both the town and school side, the town noted in a previous news release.

Guilford Republicans have been vocal in recent days, urging residents to vote "no" on the budget and calling for "fiscal responsibility."

The Board of Finance is expected to meet next week to deliberate on budget reductions. The spending plans will then go back to the Board of Education and the Board of Selectmen for further consideration.

Another town budget meeting will take place, followed by a second referendum vote.

Exact dates have not yet been announced.