West Hartford Adopts $387.3M Budget; Increases Tax Rate

WEST HARTFORD — The West Hartford Town Council last week approved a $387.3 million operating budget for fiscal year 2026–27, setting the tax rate and advancing a slate of capital projects, with two councilors opposing key measures.

Budget adoption and tax rate

The council voted 7–2 to adopt an ordinance appropriating $387,312,715 for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026.

Voting in favor were Democrats Mayor Shari Cantor, Deputy Mayor Debra Polun, and Councilors Lisa Lazarus, Tiffani McGinnis, Barry Walters, and Ben Wenograd. Republican John Lyons also approved the budget.

Voting "no" were Republicans Gayle Harris and Jason Wang.

The adopted budget represents a reduction from an earlier proposal and is supported by revenue from property taxes and other sources.

In a separate 7–2 vote, the council approved a resolution setting the tax levy on the Oct. 1, 2025, grand list, establishing a mill rate of 46.77 for real and personal property and 32.46 for motor vehicles.

The mill rate is up from 44.78 mills (a 1.99 mill increase).

For a home assessed at $350,000, the tax increase amounts to nearly $700 extra in property taxes this year.

Harris and Wang again voted in opposition.

Taxes will be due beginning July 1, with an option for semiannual payments.

Capital plan and borrowing

In addition, the council unanimously approved a wide-ranging capital improvement ordinance authorizing funding and bonding for projects over the next two fiscal years.

For 2026–27, the plan appropriates $8.1 million for town and school projects, including street reconstruction, bridge replacement, police and fire equipment, and school infrastructure upgrades.

The ordinance also deauthorizes $1.51 million in previously approved projects, including funding tied to the Mountain Road and Albany Avenue intersection.

Looking ahead to 2027–28, the council approved $50.8 million in capital spending, including major investments in flood mitigation infrastructure, the Elmwood Community Center, bridge replacements, and school building improvements.

The plan authorizes the issuance of bonds and temporary borrowing to finance the projects.

Capital improvement fund and transfers

In a separate unanimous vote, the council approved $1.875 million in appropriations from the Capital and Non-Recurring Expenditure Fund to support projects such as computer infrastructure, park improvements, town building upgrades, emergency equipment, and vehicle replacements.

Council members also unanimously authorized year-end budget transfers.

For the minutes of the April 20 West Hartford Town Council meeting, click on this link.