Vernon Mayor's Proposed 2026-27 Budget Calls For Slight Tax Increase

VERNON, CT — Vernon Mayor Dan Champagne Tuesday unveiled a proposed $111.2 million budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year that would, if approved as-is, require a 1.97 percent tax increase.

The budget now goes to the Vernon Town Council.

The proposed budget has a bottom line of $111,225,771. That's 3.37 percent more than the current fiscal year's $107,603,361 budget.

Education totals $62,175,741, a line item that is 2.91
percent more than this fiscal year.

Investments in information technology and IT staffing and rising costs of goods and services are also drivers, the mayor said.

"Just as Vernon families face higher grocery, fuel and utility costs, the town of Vernon faces similar pressures," Champagne said. "As we do every year, we asked our finance department and department heads to employ zero-based budgeting and to carefully evaluate every line item in their
budget requests."

At the same time, Champagne said, Vernon will continue to offer "the quality services residents have come to expect, including great schools and top-notch public safety."

He added, "We are also making investments in infrastructure and key positions, which will enhance the services the
town provides."

The proposed positions include:

• An assistant public works director
• A geographic information system analyst
• An application analyst in information technology
• A staff auditor in finance

The town's capital improvement plan makes investments in roadway maintenance, building improvements, recreation upgrades, park improvements, drainage projects and essential vehicle replacement, Town Administrator John Kleinhans said.

"To limit the impact on taxpayers, we are funding these capital improvements with grant and reserve funds," Kleinhans said. "And we pledge to continue to seek grants and other funding for projects, programs and capital items."

Mayor Champagne said he and the town's administration never waiver from their commitment to "carefully manage all expenses and use of taxpayer dollars."

Said Champagne, "Moving the town forward while also being sensitive to the challenges our residents face is a guiding
principle of the budget preparation process. I am grateful to our department heads for prioritizing the needs of our residents while preparing their budgets. I also want to thank the finance department for their hard work during the budget preparation process. I am proud to send to the Town Council a budget that moves Vernon forward and respects the needs of our residents, including our large population of seniors who live on fixed incomes."

The tax rate required to fund the budget would be is 36.8 mills on real estate and personal property. That's a increase of 0.71 mills.

The tax rate for motor vehicles is capped at 32.46 mills.

The budget can be viewed in full here.

Here's a look at the budget review schedule: