WINDSOR LOCKS, CT — Windsor Locks' months-long budget fight ended by the narrowest possible margin.
The town's $64,086,850 operating budget passed 705-704 following a recount, according to First Selectman Jon Savino's office.
The single-vote victory came during the seventh referendum on the 2026-27 spending plan.
Voters also approved the town's $455,623 Tax Increment Financing District budget, 741-662, according to official results posted by the town. The TIF fund is tied to downtown development.
The capital budget was approved separately during the July 28 referendum, meaning all three pieces of the town budget have now passed.
Tuesday's operating proposal was about 0.3 percent smaller than the version rejected Aug. 11 and about 3.3 percent below the first proposal sent to voters in June.
The Board of Finance cut another $182,500 following the sixth failed referendum. The reductions included $60,000 from general government, $57,500 from public safety and $65,000 from employee benefits and insurance. The Board of Education budget remained unchanged.
The approved budget lists a mill rate of 22.25. A mill rate of 22.25 means property owners are charged $22.25 for every $1,000 of assessed value.
The sixth operating budget failed 821-734. The TIF budget lost that day by just nine votes, 759-750.
The passage avoids an eighth referendum that town officials had tentatively scheduled for Sept. 8 if Tuesday's proposal failed.
For more Northern Connecticut news, follow Patch editor Jay Kenney.
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