Simsbury Budgets, Tax Hike To Be Decided Friday

SIMSBURY, CT — Voters Friday will decide on a town/school spending plan that could have the average homeowner paying Simsbury $408 extra in taxes this year.

Voters will decide several referendum questions at the Simsbury Town Hall meeting room, 933 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, May 10.

The poll vote comes after weeks of tweaking, slicing, and adding by town/school officials.

The questions to be decided are:

• A $28.88 million general government budget, which is 8.82 percent less than current spending.
The cut is mostly a byproduct of one-time American Rescue Plan Act funding in 2024, which is being used to cut the tax impact a bit, according to the town's budget mailer.

• An $85.22 million education budget, which is a 4.4 percent increase from the current school budget.

• A $19.51 million appropriation for the budgets of the sewer treatment plant; residential property fund; parks and rec special revenue fund; non-public schools; and debt retirement (among other funds).

• An additional $495,000 appropriation to rehab the Old Drake Hill Road Bridge, which would be added to currently appropriated dollars, for a total appropriation of $2.76 million.

• An appropriation of $900,000 in state grants; $1.03 million in donations; and $500,000 in capital reserve funding to improve the performing arts center/bandshell. This would result in a total appropriation of $2.78 million for that project.

According to town officials, the spending package would increase the mill rate from 30.82 to 32.26, or 1.44 mills.

It would result in a $9,112 tax bill for the median home assessment — or a tax bill that is $408 more than a year ago, a 4.68 percent tax hike.

Because of an elevator maintenance project at Simsbury Town Hall, voters who are unable to enter a polling location can vote from their vehicles curbside.

For curbside assistance, dial 860-658-3202 between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Friday, May 10. Election staff will check IDs, bring ballots and privacy sleeves to voters, and return voted ballots to be counted.

Questions regarding curbside voting can be directed to the Simsbury Registrars of Voters: 860-658-3267 or 860-658-3269.

For more information on the 2024-25 Simsbury town/school budgets, click on this link.