By Elizabeth Barhydt
The Board of Estimate and Taxation unanimously approved the fiscal year 2026-2027 budget following weeks of review, public input, and internal deliberation, sending the proposal to the Representative Town Meeting for final consideration.
The vote on March 31 marked the conclusion of a budget cycle that began in February with departmental reviews and culminated in a public hearing on March 26, where residents weighed in on spending priorities, capital projects, and tax impacts.
BET Chairman David Weisbrod said the approved budget reflects both fiscal restraint and long-term planning.
“The work of the BET resulted in reducing the First Selectman’s recommended budget by $6 million,” Weisbrod said. The anticipated increase in the mill rate will be 4.62 percent (not accounting for changes in the grand list due to the revaluation this year).
Weisbrod said, “we have concluded a transparent and productive process where all twelve BET members made meaningful contributions.
Weisbrod said that the budget reduction was achieved through detailed, line by line review rather than arbitrary cuts.
“We looked carefully at each item and talked to each of the departments,” he said.
The final budget maintains funding for core services and advances several major capital projects.
Weisbrod distinguished between operating expenses which he said grew at approximately the rate of inflation and new investments as reflected by the capital budget. According to weisbrod, the overall expense increase of 5.4 Percent is driven disproportionately by capital investments.
“When you look at just the operating costs, the increase is 3.5 percent,” Weisbrod said.
Operating costs, include salaries, benefits, and the day to day costs of running the town. Capital spending—described as investments in infrastructure and long-term improvements— accounts for the difference.
Examples are the Hamill rink, the high school swimming pool, funding for the new Central Middle School and the renovations at Old Greenwich school.
A central component of the budget is a shift toward multi year financial planning. Weisbrod said the BET developed a 10-year capital model to assess future obligations and risks.
“The model shows that we run into trouble 3 or 4 years down the road, when borrowing peaks trigger violations of the bet’s debt policies” he said. “In the absence of preventative action we even run the risk of violating state statutes which prevent us from borrowing to fund debt service.”
“The good news,” said Weisbrod, “is that we can avoid this potential fiscal cliff by taking appropriate measures now. This year the bet took a first step by increasing the capital tax levy by $5 million.”
Weisbrod added, “if we start addressing our challenges now, the problem can be readily addressed.”
The board also began evaluating alternative financing strategies, extension of debt maturities and project timelines, including whether certain projects can be delayed or restructured.
Public comment during the March 26 hearing reflected both support for and concern about elements of the budget.
One speaker emphasized the importance of incorporating sustainability into capital decisions, warning that infrastructure choices carry long-term fiscal consequences tied to environmental risk.
“These are not abstract issues. They are fundamental budget issues,” the speaker said, citing past costs related to soil contamination and infrastructure stress.
Others focused on specific capital projects, including the proposed Dorothy Hamill Rink and the broader redevelopment of Byram’s Eugene Morlot Park. Some residents urged the BET to proceed with funding, while others cautioned against approving large appropriations without additional review.
“The proposed town BET budget spends over half a billion dollars, an all-time record,” another speaker said.
Additional testimony highlighted the need for continued investment in facilities such as Nathaniel Witherell, as well as concerns about capital cost escalation and project sequencing.
Internally, BET members described a more coordinated process than in prior years, with committees playing a central role in vetting proposals before they reached the full board.
“What we did this year is use the committees very extensively to develop the budget,” Weisbrod said. “By the time we got to the full BET, many of the issues were hammered out.”
That structure allowed the board to complete its decision day efficiently.
“It is actually because we worked hard that we were able to get it done,” Weisbrod said. “In a half a day.”
Among specific decisions, the BET deferred appropriation of funds to begin evaluation of a new home for the board of education, citing process concerns rather than substantive disagreement.
“There’s no debate on the substance,” Weisbrod said. “We all recognize that the Havemeyer Building needs to be refitted for other purposes. The only issue is whether the specific appropriation request has been adequately vetted.”
The budget now advances to the RTM, where members will conduct their own review before final adoption.
Looking ahead, Weisbrod said the board has already begun preparing for the next cycle.
“It’s a multi-year planning initiative,” he said. “If we implement the solutions in a rational, calm, steady way, we can do the projects and not run afoul of all the limitations that we have.”
For residents seeking to review the full budget and supporting materials, documents are available through the town’s website.
