What’s in Fairfield’s Proposed 2026-27 Budget?

For her first budget, First Selectperson Christine Vitale proposed one that’s just under $403 million, a 4.97% increase from last year. 

The budget includes $243.9 million for the Board of Education, $134.4 million for the town, and $24.6 million to cover shared operating expenses, such as workers’ compensation funds and interest payments on debt. Vitale proposed $360.9 million coming from local taxes, with the rest coming from non-tax revenues, like investment income, service charges, and licenses/permits. 

“The budget is a reflection of our values and advances the administration’s priorities,” Vitale said when she unveiled the proposed budget at the Board of Selectmen meeting on Tuesday, February 24. “The men and women who work in our town every day—plow drivers, firefighters, police officers, teachers—they’re the ones that keep our town running and they're the resource we invest in the most.” 

Vitale said this budget will allow the town to “attract and retain highly qualified” employees, maintain the school system and libraries, support public safety, sustain critical infrastructure needs, and continue to support legal efforts against United Illuminating and Aquarion for projects that could impact the town. 

Some of the biggest cost drivers are ones that are happening across the region, such as rising health care costs. In addition, she noted that there are four collective bargaining units for town employees that are still in negotiations so they’re factoring in a reserve for when those are settled.

The town recently went through its mandated five-year revolution process, which aims to update property values in the community. Fairfield saw large growth on the residential side, compared to a decrease on the commercial side, meaning more of the tax burden falls on residents. 

“It's a continued priority that we build our commercial base and our commercial grand list,” Vitale said, noting that “only 4.5% of our land is zoned for commercial use and commercial development so we need to be creative when we’re looking at revitalizing these commercial zones.”

While Vitale’s budget includes a 4.68% increase for the school district, it’s slightly shy of what the Board of Education had asked for, which was $245.9 million or a 5.54% increase.

In a letter, Superintendent Michael Testani said that the BOE’s budget had already included a number of cuts that totaled just under $1 million and those cuts came on top of $3.2 million that he had reduced from departmental budget requests.

“Any significant or impactful cuts would likely come from the salaries and benefits line, which

would likely also have a material impact to children in the classroom,” he wrote.

What’s next? 

The Board of Selectpersons has to vote on the proposed budget on Monday, March 2. From there, the budget goes to the Board of Finance, which will begin its review on Thursday, March 5. 

The Board of Finance will conduct a thorough review of the budget throughout March, including a public hearing scheduled for Saturday, March 28 at 9:30 a.m. After the Board of Finance approves the budget, it goes to the Representative Town Meeting for final adoption later this spring.

You can see the full schedule online and explore the proposed budget in detail.