Budget Updates for Lower Fairfield County (Stamford, Norwalk, Bridgeport, and more)

The first week of May is a busy one across southwest Connecticut as many communities are finalizing their budgets. And there’s some potential good news: most municipalities should be receiving some additional support from the state.

This week, Governor Ned Lamont announced that the state plans to provide an additional $170 million in school funding and an additional $100 million in municipal aid to communities across Connecticut. 

“I have heard directly from mayors, first selectmen, superintendents, students, and taxpayers across Connecticut who are feeling the squeeze of rising costs. This $270 million is a direct response to the strains being placed on town, school district, and family budgets. By closing funding gaps for our schools and municipalities, we can help communities avoid raising property taxes while keeping classrooms running and local services strong,” he said in a statement. 

But as communities wait to get more information about what additional funding could come their way, let’s take a look at where budgets stand across the region. 

Bridgeport 

Mayor Joe Ganim proposed a $622.4 million municipal operating budget. The budget, which is driven by a $13 billion growth in the grand list, aims to provide support for seniors and veterans, investments in local libraries, and free park access. Ganim touted that this budget includes “record investment in education,” by providing an additional $5 million this year and next year. But school officials say that’s not nearly enough.

Interim Superintendent Royce Avery proposed a $338 million budget, a 14.97% increase or $44 million from the previous year. The Board of Education, however, has continued to advocate for additional funding for the district after years of cuts to address financial issues have reduced services for students. The board asked for a $106 million increase for its students. 

Last year’s budget of $294.5 million for the schools included $212.8 million from the state and $81.7 million from the city. 

The budget is now being reviewed by the City Council, particularly the Budget & Appropriations Committee, which is meeting on Tuesday, May 5, Wednesday, May 6, Thursday, May 7, (all at 5:30 p.m.) and Saturday, May 9 at 9:30 a.m. 

The full City Council will review and vote on the operating budget on Monday, May 11 at 7 p.m.

Stamford

The Board of Finance voted to reduce the proposed $747.4 million operating budget, which includes both the city and school district, by more than $15 million. Of that, the board unanimously voted to cut $12.1 million from the school district’s proposed budget, with the remainder coming from the city side. The Board of Finance also voted to cut more than $12.5 million from the proposed capital budget. 

Right now the budget is in front of the Board of Representatives, which only has the power to make further cuts—it cannot add anything back into the budget. 

The Board of Representatives is hosting a special meeting on Thursday, May 7 at 7:30 p.m. to officially vote on the final budget for the year. After that, the Board of Finance will hold a special meeting on Monday, May 18 at 7 p.m. to set the official mill (or tax) rates for the upcoming year. 

Norwalk

Mayor Barbara Smyth reduced her initial budget request by $2.3 million bringing the proposed budget to $481.7 million. The Board of Estimate and Taxation voted to trim the budget a bit more—cutting $110,000 from the city and reducing the increase for the school from a proposed 4.9% to 4%.

But the City Council, which does not have line-item power over the budget, voted to increase the budget cap to allow for a “compromise” 4.5% increase for the school district. 

The Board of Estimate and Taxation does have the final say though and can decide to stick with its planned 4% increase for the school district if it chooses.

The Board of Estimate and Taxation will meet on Thursday, May 7 at 6:30 p.m. to finalize the budget.  

Fairfield

The Fairfield Representative Town Meeting will meet on Monday, May 4 at 8 p.m. for its annual budget meeting. The legislative body will be voting on a proposed $400 million budget, sent from the Board of Finance. The Board of Finance reduced First Selectperson Christine Vitale’s initial proposed budget of nearly $403 million by about $3 million.

The RTM has the opportunity to make further reductions, but it cannot add back to the budget. 

Greenwich

The Board of Estimate and Taxation unanimously approved a $542 million budget, which includes $476.4 million in operating costs and a $66 million capital tax levy to fund projects like school construction and the new Dorothy Hamill rink.

Committees of the Representative Town Meeting are now reviewing the budget, particularly the Finance and Education Committees on Monday, May 4 at 7:20 p.m. 

The full Representative Town Meeting will meet on Monday, May 11 at 7 p.m. to vote on the budget. The legislative body has the ability to make further reductions, but cannot increase the budget. 

Darien

The Board of Finance approved the proposed $191.9 million budget from First Selectman Jon Zagrodzky and the school district without any adjustments. Committees of the Representative Town Meeting are now reviewing the budget, including the RTM - Education Committee on Monday, May 4 at 7:30 p.m. 

The full Representative Town Meeting will meet on Monday, May 11 at 7 p.m. to vote on the budget. The legislative body has the ability to make further reductions, but cannot increase the budget. 

Westport

The Board of Finance approved the proposed $266.1 million budget, a 5.2% increase from the previous year, which covers both the town and the school district. 

The budget is now in front of the Representative Town Meeting, which can reduce it, but not increase it. The legislative body plans to vote on the town-side of the budget on Monday, May 4 at 7:30 p.m. and the school budget on Tuesday, May 5 at 7:30 p.m. The body also could meet on Wednesday, May 6 at 7:30 p.m. if necessary.