Careful It's a Trap!- Windsor Locks Budget

OPINION & EDITORIAL

The Path They Aren't Showing You

Windsor Locks property owners are being presented with a false, deeply polarized choice: accept an over-inflated budget or vote "No" and halt essential town services. This is a manufactured divide designed to make voters feel powerless and surrender. But there is a lawful, better path.

The "No Refund" Myth

The town administration claims that the July 1st emergency mill rate of 22.25 is permanently locked in, and that no refunds can ever be issued. They use this story as a political weapon, hoping you will believe the financial damage is already done.

But this narrative completely ignores Connecticut Supreme Court precedent. Under CGS § 12-123, emergency rate-setting is strictly a temporary, stop-gap measure to keep basic operations running during a deadlock.

Once a final budget is approved via referendum, Chapter VIII, Section 804 of our Town Charter restores the Board of Finance's full constitutional authority to set the official tax rate. The landmark case Moshier v. Goodnow establishes that the town can legally reconcile the rate difference.

A Down Payment on Your Tax Cut

If voters reject the inflated budget and force spending cuts, the town will still collect taxes at 22.25, but will legally only be authorized to spend the lower, voter-approved amount.

This creates a guaranteed cash surplus that the town cannot legally spend. Under the law, they must credit that overpayment back to us. The Board of Finance can then apply those forced savings directly to slash next year's property taxes.

A "No" vote is not a vote to destroy services-it is a direct down payment on next year's tax cut and a vital reset of our spending baseline. Vote NO on the upcoming referendum.

Update: Now in addition to the already "Too High" normal tax bill they are proposing an additional increase "Every Property Owner Will Get Another Supplemental Bill"

*should arrive right around CHRISTMAS 🎄

VOTE NO! TUESDAY JULY 28th 12:00pm - 8:00pm

*these are strictly my opinions based on my understanding of events