Development News for Waterbury, Connecticut

City Council Approves 2026-2027 Budget and Capital Plan Amidst Tax Rate and Water Fee Deliberations

The City Council adopted the mayor's proposed budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, along with the capital improvement plan for 2027-2031. The operating budget, comprised of six resolutions, and the capital improvement plan, with two resolutions, were approved after extensive discussion and a roll call vote. Notably, Resolution 1, concerning operating departments' appropriations, passed with a 9-5 vote. Resolution 2, approving the tax levy, also passed 9-5, setting the real estate and personal property mill rate at 43.34 mills and the motor vehicle mill rate at 32.46 mills. Resolution 3, for the water pollution control enterprise fund, passed 11-3. Resolution 4, for the water enterprise fund, passed 9-5. Resolution 5, adopting the schedule of fees and charges, passed unanimously. Resolution 6, authorizing mathematical corrections and emergency transfers, passed 10-4. The capital budget resolutions (1 and 2) also passed with 10-4 votes. An amendment proposed by Alderwoman Zimmerman to reallocate funds within the operating budget, primarily to reduce the legal department's outside counsel budget by $200,000, failed with a 9-5 vote against it. Several aldermen expressed concerns about the tax burden on residents, particularly in light of the recent property reevaluation and the mill rate. The water rate increase was also a point of contention, with an amendment to keep the quarterly service charge for 5/8 meters at $12 instead of increasing it to $24 passing, saving homeowners approximately $48 annually. Discussions also touched upon the potential impact of budget decisions on city services and the bond rating.