Simsbury Selectmen Unveil Tax Hike Proposal As It Fine-Tunes Proposed Budget

SIMSBURY, CT — The town is full on into budget season, with local selectmen getting their crack at a spending plan that currently will hike taxes by 2 percent in Simsbury, though it is far from finalized.

The Simsbury Board of Selectmen, on March 2 approved a $30.6 million town operating budget for fiscal year 2026–27, advancing a spending plan that includes a 2.15 percent tax increase while navigating rising costs and internal disagreements over staffing and funding priorities.

The budget, approved unanimously, represents a 3.39 percent increase over the current year.

Officials said the tax impact would amount to about $224 annually for a median-valued $450,000 home. The mill rate is set at 33.73, excluding the fire district.

Simsbury Town Manager Marc Nelson pointed to several cost pressures, including a 14 percent increase in health insurance, a $480,000 drop in investment income, and limited grand list growth of 0.9.

“We are struggling about a $500,000 decrease in projected investment income,” Nelson said, adding that combined financial pressures totaled roughly $800,000.

Simsbury's selectmen did not address the proposed school budget, currently under review by the Simsbury Board of Education.

That budget stands at $91,303,244, an increase of $2,480,133 or a 2.79 percent increase.

Key votes and decisions

Selectmen earlier this month approved multiple budget components and capital items, including:

• The $30.6 million general government budget
• A $5.9 million water pollution control budget
• A $3 million parks and recreation fund
• A $9.06 million debt service budget
• A $9.54 million capital improvement plan

Selectmen also approved $200,000 from reserves for a Simsbury Volunteer Ambulance Association (SVAA) capital project, contingent on a lease-back arrangement designed to limit town risk.

Main Street funding debated, then restored

Funding for the Simsbury Main Street Partnership drew significant discussion.

Simsbury Deputy First Selectman Steve Antonio initially moved to fully fund the organization at $85,000 for the final year of its memorandum of understanding.

That motion was tabled following concerns from board members about financial oversight.

Selectman Kevin Beal later supported restoring the funding, provided the board conducts a financial review in executive session.

“I would like to request an agenda item at a future meeting where the board can discuss finances for Simsbury Main Street Partnership,” Beal said.

The board ultimately approved the $85,000 allocation with that condition.

Disagreement over economic development role

Selectmen also debated a proposal to reallocate an existing town staff position to support economic development efforts.

Nelson said the plan would split the time of the current Business Development Coordinator, with no additional cost to taxpayers, to build internal capacity.

“This position would be a zero cost to taxpayers,” Nelson said.

However, board members raised concerns about process and planning.

Antonio called for tabling the discussion pending review by personnel officials and union input.

Beal said the concept had merit but lacked defined goals.

“They would need anticipated goals for this role,” he said.

Simsbury First Selectman Wendy Mackstutis said she would support further exploration if accompanied by a detailed plan, job description, and justification.

Public safety staffing under review

Police staffing needs were another focal point, with Simsbury Police Department Chief Nicholas Boulter supporting the addition of a dispatcher.

Boulter said current staffing levels can strain operations, particularly during peak call times.

“They had reached the point where 1 dispatcher could be a challenge,” he said.

The proposed full-time position, with a salary of about $71,000 plus benefits, remains under consideration.

Capital priorities and delays

On capital planning, selectmen discussed deferring some projects, including the Apple Barn redevelopment, which may be pushed to 2028 pending further planning.

Other capital investments approved include road and safety improvements, school facility upgrades, and infrastructure projects.

Fire alarm upgrades, delayed multiple times, are expected to move forward using capital funds.

Next steps

The budget now moves forward in the town’s budget process, with additional review by the Simsbury Board of Finance.

Ultimately, voters will decide Simsbury's budget in mid-May.

Selectmen also expect:

• A summer proposal reviewing the town’s long-standing agreement with the Housing Authority
• Further analysis of the economic development staffing plan
• A financial review of the Main Street Partnership

Despite disagreements on specific items, the board reached consensus on the overall spending plan, balancing fiscal constraints with service needs.

For the minutes of the March 2 Simsbury Board of Selectmen meeting, click on this link.

For the latest 2026-27 Town of Simsbury budget information, click on this link.