Guilford 2017 Budget Referendum Results

GUILFORD, CT — The Guilford budget referendum passed Tuesday with 2,217 votes in favor and 1,033 votes against. All five bonding questions also passed. Voter turnout was 21.1%.

The total town budget was $31.67 million for 2017-18 and the current spending plan is $31.09 million. The school budget for next year is $63.5 million and the current spending plan is $62.34 million. The combined town and school budget is $95.18 million for next year.

The Board of Selectmen voted to cut the town’s four biggest budgets in February by ½ of 1 percent, saving close to $1 million from original projections. (To sign up for Guilford breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

To view all five bonding questions and what those funds will be spent on click here. To view the budget in detail click here.

The first selectman has reported that Guilford’s Grand List grew by $11.2 million, or .36 percent the past year. The increase was “slightly smaller” than last year, officials have said, noting that last year was when two major projects – Guilford Commons and Tractor Supply were added to the tax rolls.

The big unknown with the local budget is what impact the state's billion dollar deficit will have on Guilford. Several proposals include less financial aid for Guilford and numerous other communities.

Jack Kramer contributed to this story.