TONIGHT: Tax Increase Expected As Southington Seeks Budget Input

SOUTHINGTON, CT — While some towns go to the polls to determine the next fiscal year's spending plan and how big their tax bill will be that summer, Southington does not.

Rather, the Southington Town Council will vote to adopt a budget next month, which — in turn — plays a role in what taxpayers will have to send to Southington Town Hall this year.

So with taxpayers facing a tax hike of 4.25 percent this year for the proposed 2024-25 town/school budget, a council public hearing next week is especially important.

The council will meet and host the hearing at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 22, at the John J. Weichsel Municipal Center, 196-200 N. Main St., Southington.

There, local leaders will hear testimony from the public about the proposed budgets and tax rate, with a decision to be made by council members on the budget on May 15 at the regular council meeting.

As currently proposed, the budget is a combined $181.82 million for town/schools/debt service.

This total spending package is 5.09 percent larger than current spending.

According to town officials, the proposed budget would require a mill rate increase from 30.36 to 31.65 or 1.29 mills.

For a home assessed at $300,000, the mill rate hike would mean an increase in taxes of $387 this year, according to the latest spending plan.

Southington's budget is comprised of:

• $51.94 million for general government operations, a 5.05 percent increase.

• $116.82 million for the school system, a 5.75 percent increase.

• $13.06 million for debt service, which is 0.33 percent smaller than current spending.

The Town of Southington has made a 230-page budget document available online for residents to peruse before the hearing, with summaries available.

It also includes a breakdown of the town's grand list and incoming revenues, along with the tax impacts.

For the full proposed 2024-25 town/school budget document, click on this link.