Vernon's $111 Million Budget Proposal Headed To Annual Town Meeting

VERNON, CT — It's time for Vernon's annual town meeting on the proposed $111 million budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year.

The meeting is slated for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28 at the Rockville High School auditorium. The meeting consists of a public hearing where all are welcome to comment on the proposed budget, and then the formal vote. Registered voters and people who own at least $1,000 worth of taxable property can cast votes.

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If approved, the budget goes into effect when the new fiscal year begins July 1.

"The proposed budget includes what is needed to properly fund our schools, public safety and community services,” Mayor Dan Champagne said. "The town, like our residents, faces increasing costs and we have worked hard to limit the impact on taxpayers."

The proposed 2026-27 budget totals $111,115,831 and would require a 1.75 percent tax increase to fund it.

The projected tax rate is 36.72 mills for real estate and personal property. The tax rate for motor vehicles is
capped at 32.46 mills.

One mill represents $1 for each $1,000 of assessed property value.

The major drivers of the budget are increases at the Board of Education, Information Technology, Medical
Insurance, Public Works, and the Finance Department.

Here is a breakdown:

• Education: The superintendent and the Vernon Board of Education propose an operating budget of
  $62,175,741, a 2.91% increase.
• Information Technology: Investments were made in information technology and staffing within the
  department.
• Infrastructure: Funds were allocated for road maintenance, public works and facility
  improvements as well as parks improvements to enhance our town’s infrastructure.
  

Details about the budget proposal can be found on the town website, vernon-ct.gov.

The town continues to search for grants and alternative funding sources for projects, programs and capital items. In fiscal year 2027, funds from such sources will be used for infrastructure projects, road and sidewalk maintenance, roof replacements and drainage projects totaling more than $1.5 million, officials said.

"Mayor Champagne, the town council and town administration remain committed to carefully managing expenses and the use of taxpayer dollars," Vernon Town Administrator John Kleinhans said. 'We take a multi-
year approach to significant expenses and are deliberate in avoiding future shocks to the budget. The budget increase we are requesting is significantly less than most of our surrounding communities."