Simsbury's New Budget Could Have Tax Hike, What You Need To Know

SIMSBURY, CT — A key step in the town's budget process will take place this week, allowing folks to comment on how their tax dollars are spent and what their tax bills will likely look like.

The Simsbury Board of Finance will hold a public hearing on the town’s proposed fiscal year 2026–27 budget on Tuesday, April 7, at 6 p.m. at the Friends of the Library Program Room at the Simsbury Public Library, 725 Hopmeadow St.

The hearing, required by the town charter, will cover proposed operating budgets from the Simsbury Board of Selectmen and Simsbury Board of Education, as well as capital improvement projects.

Copies of the budget are available in the Simsbury Town Clerk’s office and on the town website.

Residents will be able to comment on proposed appropriations and other business brought before the board.

Budget highlights

The proposed budget outlines a total gross expenditure of $130,995,939, an increase of $2,993,970, or 2.34%, over the current fiscal year.

The town's operating budget is proposed at $30,628,420, up 3.39%, while the school's operating budget would rise 2.79% to $91,303,244. Debt service is projected to decrease by 5.13% to $9,064,275.

Anticipated revenue is expected to decline by 3.54% to $14,434,446.

The amount to be raised through local taxes is projected at $114,950,949, an increase of $3,213,666, or 2.88%.

Tax impact

The estimated mill rate would increase from 33.02 to 33.73 under the proposal, or 0.71 mills.

For a median-valued home, annual property taxes would rise from $10,401 to $10,625 — an increase of $224, or 2.15%, according to the town.

The mill rate estimate does not include any potential change in the fire district mill rate.

Use of reserves

The proposal includes using $1,610,544 from capital reserves, a 23.89% increase compared with the current year.

Next steps

If the public hearing is not continued, a referendum on the budget is scheduled between May 1 and May 8.

If additional time is needed, the hearing will continue on April 21, with a referendum to follow between May 15 and May 22.

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