Budget Process
Fiscal Year 2026-2027
Details of the Board of Education budget process can be found here.
Budget Passes at 3rd Referendum
The third budget referendum was held on Tuesday, 6/23/2026. The budget was adopted by a vote of 1357 YES to 1141 NO. Included in those totals are 156 absentee ballots (106 yes; 50 no). At 8:15 PM, the Board of Finance held a special meeting at which they set the mill rate for the 26-27 fiscal year at 25.42.
Tax Bills and Due Date Delayed 1 Month
At an earlier meeting held on 6/11/2026, the Board voted to authorize delay of the 26-27 tax billing from 7/1/26 to 8/1/26. Taxes will now be due 8/1/26 and the last day for payment without penalty will be 9/1/26.
Preparation for 3rd Referendum
On 6/11/2026, the Board of Finance held a special meeting to discuss further revisions to the proposed budget. After a review of a number of proposed reductions, the Board settled on additional reductions totaling $522,644. The list of revisions can be found HERE. If this proposal is adopted, the anticipated new mill rate would be 25.42. The next referendum will take place on Tuesday, 6/23/2026, from 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM at the Ellington Senior Center, 40 Maple Street.
Budget Fails at 2nd Referendum
On 6/9/2026, the second budget referendum was held. Voters failed to adopt the revised budget proposal with 1073 voting NO, and 1025 voting YES, a margin of 48 votes. The Board of Finance held a special meeting at 8:15 PM on 6/9/26. The Board discussed the results of the vote and briefly discussed options for further reductions. A special meeting to deliberate additional revisions is set for Thursday, 6/11/2026, at 5:00 PM at Town Hall. The next referendum is scheduled for Tuesday, 6/23/2026. Absentee ballots will be available during normal business hours in the Town Clerk's office beginning Monday, 6/15/2026. Absentee voting must occur in person. No mail-in voting allowed.
What Happens if Budget Not Adopted Before July 1?
If the third referendum fails, Section 1106 of the Charter directs that the current fiscal year's budget become the temporary budget. The Board of Finance would set a temporary mill rate in order that tax bills can be mailed. Once a new budget is adopted, adjustments would be required.
On 5/28/2026, the Board of Finance held a special meeting to discuss revisions to the proposed budget. By the end of the meeting, the Board made adjustments to revenues and reductions to expenditures that resulted in a net change of approximately $1.5 million. A list of the revisions can be found HERE. If adopted, the anticipated mill rate would be 25.65.
Budget Fails at 1st Referendum
On 5/26/2026, voters failed to pass the proposed budget. The preliminary count shows 1049 NO votes and 891 YES votes. The Board of Finance convened at 8:15 PM on 5/26/2026, for a regular meeting. After routine business, the Board set a special meeting date of Thursday, May 28, 2026, for further deliberations and reductions in preparation for the next referendum. According to the Town's charter, a referendum must be held every two weeks until such time as a budget is approved. The next referendum will be scheduled for Tuesday, June 9, 2026.
At the Annual Town Budget Meeting held on 5/12/2026, the residents present voted to adjourn the vote on the budget to referendum. The referendum is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, 5/26/2026. This is the day after Memorial Day. The Charter requires the referendum to take place "two weeks after the town meeting is adjourned and every other week thereafter until final approval is given." Voting will take place between 6 AM and 8 PM at the Ellington Senior Center, 40 Maple Street.
Town Meeting Budget Packet Sample Ballot
Absentee voting will take place in the Town Clerk's office in Town Hall during Town Hall business hours starting 5/13/26 through 5/21/26. Town Hall is open Mondays from 8:00 AM until 6:30 PM, Tue, Wed, and Thu from 8:00 AM until 4:30 PM. Town Hall is CLOSED on Fridays. Voters must present themselves in-person at the Clerk's office with proper identification. Ballots must be delivered to the Town Clerk during business hours. Voting by mail is NOT available.
The Annual Town Budget Meeting will take place on Tuesday, 5/12/26, at Ellington High School auditorium. It is expected that the vote on the budget will be adjourned to referendum to take place on Tuesday, 5/26/2026.
The Board of Finance met on 4/16 to begin their budget deliberations. The Board heard more comments from the public and then discussed numerous reductions and revenue adjustments. After nearly three hours of deliberation, the Board of Finance voted on a spending package totaling $77,179,525 which will result in a mill rate of 26.3.
Pursuant to the Ellington Town Charter, Section 1104, the Board of Finance held a Public Hearing on the proposed budget at the High School auditorium on Tuesday, 4/14. Community members spoke at length on the proposal. Feedback from residents will be taken into consideration as the Board of Finance enters its deliberations on 4/16.
A special Board of Finance meeting took place at 6:00pm on Wednesday, 3/18 at Town Hall. During the meeting, the Board reviewed a comprehensive list of proposed reductions (Rev. 3/19/26) to the Town's 2026-27 budget. The meeting was attended by more than 50 residents. The public comments overwhelmingly urged the Board to pursue passage of the proposed budget with no reductions. The Board of Finance will convene 4/16 to deliberate on the proposed budget. Proposed reductions will be formally considered during such deliberations.
Board of Finance Budget Hearings were held on March 11th and 12th on the Board of Education budget (3/11) and proposed Town operating budget (3/12) for the consideration of the BOF prior to April's public hearing and deliberations meetings.
The new mill rate pursuant to the approved budget proposal is 26.3 for both real estate and motor vehicles. To calculate your new property tax multiply your new ASSESSED value by .0263.
A tax calculator can be found HERE.
Fiscal Year 2025-2026
Use the links below to explore and learn more about Ellington's annual budget process.
UPDATE 6/11/2025
The 6/10/2025 Budget Referendum PASSED, 1,187 YES to 689 NO
Budget Referendum #2 was held Tuesday, June 10, 2025.
All voting took place at the Senior Center, 40 Maple Street, between 6 AM and 8 PM.
Absentee ballots were available at the Town Clerk's office at Town Hall from June 2 - June 9 during normal business hours (NOTE: Town Hall is CLOSED on Fridays). They must be picked up in-person.
Who Voted on 5/27/25? An analysis by the Registrars of Voters.
UPDATE 5/30/2025
On Thursday evening, 5/29/25, the Board of Finance met to deliberate on adjustments to the proposed budget in preparation for the next referendum scheduled for June 10. The Board received input from the Town Administrator, Finance Officer, Superintendent of Schools and Board of Education members as well as comments from the public. After two hours of discussion, the Board authorized adjustments totaling $544,869. As a result, the mill rate increase was reduced from 1.5 mills to 1.1 mills.
UPDATE 5/28/25
On 5/27 the Board of Finance directed the Town to come up with $300,000 in adjustments to their proposed budget, and has directed the Board of Education to come up with $500,000 in adjustments. The Board will discuss the proposed adjustments at their Special Meeting on 5/29/25. The goal is to reduce the proposed budget by .5 mill which is approximately $800,000. The Board of Education is scheduled to meet later this evening (7PM 5/28) to discuss proposed adjustments to the BOE budget.
UPDATE 5/27/25 10:00 pm
The 5/27/2025 Budget Referendum FAILED. The unofficial tally 464 Yes; 598 No. Next Vote scheduled for 6/10/2025.
The Board of Finance has scheduled 3 Special Meetings to contemplate further cuts to the proposal. Meeting dates are 5/29; 6/2; and 6/3. All meetings are scheduled for 6 PM at Town Hall.
Budget Referendum to be held Tuesday, May 27, 2025 (All day voting)
All voting will take place at the Senior Center, 40 Maple Street, between 6 AM and 8 PM.
For QUESTIONS, contact the Town Clerk at (860) 870-3105 or by email townclerk@ellington-ct.gov
ABSENTEE VOTING (CGS 9-369)
Registered voters may make application for Absentee Ballots, in person ONLY, in the Town Clerk's Office at Town Hall. Ballots will be available May 14 through May 22*. (*NOTE-Town Hall is CLOSED on Friday, May 23 and Monday, May 26) Absentee voting must be IN-PERSON (No Mail-in applications or ballots; NO use of Drop-Box)
ELIGIBILITY TO VOTE IN REFERENDUM
- Any person who is an elector of the Town (Eligible and registered to vote)
- Any US Citizen, jointly or severally, liable to the Town for taxes on an assessment of not less than $1,000 on the last completed grand list of the Town.
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Budget Deliberations - April 10, 2025
The Board of Finance made adjustments to the proposed budget after receiving comments from the public during past meetings. The Board reduced proposed expenditures and increased revenue estimates to arrive at a budget that will result in a mill rate increase of 1.5. The Board voted unanimously to forward the revised budget proposal to the electors of Ellington at a referendum scheduled for Tuesday, May 27, 2025. The adjustments to the proposed budget can be found here.
The following program is currently available on the Community Voice Channel. The program features First Selectman Lori Spielman, Town Administrator Matt Reed, Superintendent Scott Nicol, and Finance Officer Tiffany Pignataro. The video is an overview of the municipal budget process in Ellington and was recorded on 3/17/2025. See the video HERE.