WINDSOR LOCKS, CT — Windsor Locks voters will head back to the polls in August after the town's latest budget referendum failed Tuesday.
The July 28 referendum was the town's fifth budget vote for the 2026-27 fiscal year.
The main town and school budget failed 779-615. That proposal totaled $64,869,350 and would have paid for schools, public safety, public works, employee benefits, debt payments, recreation and other town services.
The proposal was about 0.7 percent higher than the budget voters rejected July 14, but about 2.1 percent lower than the first budget proposal sent to voters in June.
The Tax Increment Financing District budget also failed, 709-679. That proposal was unchanged from the July 14 version and about 6.9 percent lower than the first proposal sent to voters.
The capital budget passed narrowly, 705-684. That proposal was unchanged from the July 14 version and about 19.6 percent lower than the first proposal sent to voters.
First Selectman Jon Savino's office said the overall budget referendum did not pass. The Board of Finance will hold a special meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 29, at Town Hall to discuss next steps.
The meeting agenda says the board will review, discuss and recommend a sixth budget to be voted on at referendum Aug. 11.
The Town Clerk's page lists the sixth town budget referendum for noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11.
The vote comes after months of failed budget referendums.
The first vote failed June 2. Voters rejected the operating budget 951-487, the TIF budget 910-522 and the capital budget 866-568.
The second vote failed June 16. Voters rejected the operating budget 852-345, the TIF budget 792-403 and the capital budget 761-433.
The third vote failed June 30. Voters rejected the operating budget 788-317, the TIF budget 712-394 and the capital budget 678-425.
The fourth vote failed July 14. Voters rejected the operating budget 1,167-290, the TIF budget 911-556 and the capital budget 880-585.
The budget fight has also drawn warnings about possible impacts to local services. The Windsor Locks Public Library, Park and Recreation Department and Senior Center previously warned that deeper cuts could affect hours, programs, transportation, summer camp and other services.
More details on the next budget proposal are expected after the Board of Finance meeting.
For more Northern Connecticut news, follow Patch editor Jay Kenney.
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