5 Things to Know About Westport's Proposed Budget

1. The combined proposed operating budget for the town and school district is $253.9 million.

Of that $158.9 million is for the school district, with the remaining approximately $95 million covering town expenses. The town budget is proposed to increase by 3.82% or $3.2 million. On the education side, the schools are asking for a 4.7% increase or just under $7 million more. 

2. On the town side, more than ⅓ of the budget goes toward public safety, which is requesting a 2.64% increase 

3. The town is also seeing an increase in its pension, insurance, and other benefits, rising to $20.9 million or a $1.8 million increase from last year. 

4. For the schools, the proposed budget aims to maintain current staffing and programming as it covers contractual increases for salaries and increased expenses for benefits. 

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

There will be a Board of Finance Public Hearing for the schools on Monday, March 24 at 7:30 p.m. and a Board of Finance Public Hearing for the town on a Tuesday, March 25 at 7:30 p.m.

Check out the First Selectwoman’s budget presentation or view other budget documents before the hearing.