NEW CANAAN, CT — The Town Council recently approved a $184.5 million total expenditure budget for the town of New Canaan for fiscal year 2026-27, town officials announced.
In a news release Friday, town officials said the budget, which was approved by the council on April 14, represented an increase of 1.9 percent over the current fiscal year.
According to the release, the total expenditure budget includes Board of Education operating expenses of $99.2 million (up 4.0 percent) and Board of Education transfers to the Health Internal Service Fund expenses of $17.2 million (down 6.6 percent) for a combined Board of Education expense budget of $116.4 (up 2.3 percent).
In addition to these expenses, the budget includes $5.9 million of other Board of Education expenses paid by the town, the release notes.
Town department operational expenses were approved at $35.3 million (up 2.0 percent), according to the town.
Other budget items include a combined town and Board of Education debt service of $18.1 million (up 2.0 percent) and tax-funded capital projects of $0.5 million (up 0.8 percent), according to the town.
To fund this budget, the amount to be raised from taxation is $168.9 (up 3.0 percent), according to the town.
"The Town Council is proud to deliver a fiscally disciplined budget that maintains all essential town services without compromising the community's long-term financial health," Town Council Chairman Mike Mauro said in a news release. "This budget is a testament to the hard work and collaboration of our entire town team. It is a lean, responsible roadmap that meets our obligations to taxpayers while protecting the quality of life our residents expect and deserve."
Mauro also noted the council was incredibly grateful for the dedication shown by their staff.
"Their ability to find efficiencies while maintaining the town's prodigious resources is a credit to their professionalism," Mauro said. "Residents can be assured that this budget will continue New Canaan's coveted long tradition of delivering a world class public education system and robust services provided by all departments, including, police, fire, EMS, health and human services, and public works. The library will continue to flourish with the support of the town. This was a true team effort among Town Council members, elected and appointed officials, and the talented professionals who serve New Canaan every day."
According to the town, the council's budget takes into account the town assessor's reported 2025 Grand List increase of 0.8 percent to $10.02 billion from the 2024 Grand List of $9.94 billion.
This Grand List, combined with an estimated $5 million fund balance drawdown, will result in projected increase of the mill rate from the current 16.691 to an estimated 17.049 (up 2.1 percent), according to the town.
The final mill rate, which determines property taxes, will be set by the Board of Finance by June 9, according to the town.
The full Town Council approved operating and capital budgets for fiscal year 2026-2027 can be found on the Finance Department's website.
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