5 Things to Know About Greenwich's Proposed Budget

1. The combined proposed operating budget for the town and school district is $462 million, or a 4.22% increase from last year. 

The town services side of the budget accounts for $140 million, fixed charges such as pensions and insurances, accounts for $119.2 million, while the school district side accounts for $202.4 million.

2. In Greenwich, the town also has a capital tax levy that helps to fund its infrastructure projects. 

For this year, that’s proposed to be $61 million, a 5.17% increase from last year. That fund aims to cover projects including part of the Julian Curtiss School renovation, the Shore Road Sidewalk, stormwater drainage, and more. 

3. The Board of Education is proposing a 5.1% increase or $9.8 million more than last year.

School officials said this increase covers contractual wage increases, higher transportation costs, funding for special education and student services, and additional staff for high needs students. 

4. The Board of Estimate and Taxation had asked the school district to keep its requested increase to 2.96%, which officials said does not cover the contractual and student-need costs. 

To get to that number, the Board of Education would have to reduce its proposed budget by just about $4.1 million. 

5. Residents are invited to get involved in the process. 

There will be two budget hearings—one for the school budget on Wednesday, March 26 and one for the town budget on Thursday, March 27, both at 7 p.m.

See the First Selectman’s presentation and the superintendent’s budget presentation beforehand.