Budget Process
Fiscal Year 2026-2027
Details of the Board of Education budget process can be found here.
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.