Windsor Council Cuts Budget After Referendum Fails

WINDSOR, CT — Windsor voters will head back to the polls later this month to decide a revised town budget after rejecting the first proposal earlier in June.

The next referendum is scheduled for Tuesday, June 30, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at all regular polling locations, according to a post from Windsor Connecticut Democrats.

The first budget referendum failed June 2. Voters rejected the $158.3 million proposal by a vote of 2,079 to 1,752, according to results posted by the town.

After the failed vote, the Town Council met to review the spending plan and make changes before sending it back to voters.

Windsor Connecticut Democrats said the revised budget totals $156,572,340. The group said the town budget was reduced by $5,276,210, including the use of $2.5 million in opening cash.

The revised plan carries a proposed mill rate of 28.88. A mill rate is used to calculate property taxes. A 28.88 mill rate means property owners pay $28.88 for every $1,000 of assessed property value.

The group said the revised budget represents a 3 percent spending increase and a 1.51 percent change in the tax rate.

The post said much of the discussion focused on possible school budget cuts. Windsor Connecticut Democrats said a $4 million cut had been requested for the Board of Education, but said that level of reduction would hurt the school system. The group said cutting $3 million more could affect classrooms and about 40 teaching positions.

Absentee ballots are available, according to the post.