Image from Canva.com
SEYMOUR –Voters approved a $66.4 million budget for fiscal year 2024 – 2025 at a second referendum Thursday (May 16).
Voters approved the $26.6 million town side of the budget by a vote of 860 – 628.
They also approved the $39.7 million budget for the board of education by a vote of 828 – 665.
The approved budget carries a mill rate of 36.84 mills.
That’s a .88 mill increase over the current mill rate of 35.98.
A single-family house on .28 acres on Wood Street assessed at $139,720 would pay $120 more in taxes next year.
This was the second time voters came out to vote on a budget. Voters initially rejected both the town and school budgets at the first referendum held May 2. The Board of Finance, following the defeat, reduced the overall budget by $240,000.
More people turned out to vote at the second referendum than the first.
Of the town’s 11,276 registered voters, 1,492 people, or roughly 13.2 percent, cast ballots on Thursday. At the May 2 referendum, less than 10 percent of the town’s registered voters cast ballots.
“I am so happy this budget passed. This has been the highest voter turnout we’ve had in the last several years,” said Seymour First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis. “I’m thankful the residents came out and supported the town and school budgets. This budget moves the town forward and moves the schools forward. We’re going to be able to improve the roads, have more activities for the kids and more economic development.”
Seymour Superintendent of Schools Susan Compton was also glad to see the budget pass muster with voters..
“I’m just very pleased and so proud that people came out and supported this budget for our kids,” Compton said. “This budget keeps our system sustained and keeps the system of excellence going and it’s what we’ve got to have to maintain the schools. Our children are our most special assets.”
