The Board of Estimate and Taxation is well into its fiscal year 2026–2027 budget review under Democratic leadership, with members from both parties describing a more disciplined and cooperative process than in recent years.
The 12-member board is reviewing the budget submitted by First Selectman Fred Camillo, beginning with department-by-department evaluations conducted by the Budget Committee. Those sessions, held in full-day meetings, are followed by a consolidation of figures before formal votes.
“The budget committee has been going through an evaluation of each of the department’s budgets,” said BET Chairman David Weisbrod. “First they are meeting with the individual departments to conduct a detailed assessment of the revenue, expense and proposed capital numbers so as to have a consistent picture of what’s in the budget.”
The Budget Committee decision day is scheduled for March 3. The full BET decision days are set for March 31, with April 1 reserved as a second day, if necessary. Public hearings will take place March 26 at 7 p.m.
“We’re hoping to get as much public input as we can,.”, said Weisbrod. Residents may attend in person or participate via Zoom.
Residents may attend in person or participate via Zoom.
The First Selectman’s proposed budget reflects a 6.01 percent mill rate increase, according to the town’s published budget schedules.
Weisbrod said the entire board is reviewing that figure closely.
“We are all looking to see if that number makes sense. Are there opportunities to reduce expenses and are there revenues that may not be captured in the budget profile?” he said. “That’s the work that’s going on right now.”
He said the board’s structure has been critical to maintaining stability.
“If the BET is working right, it should function through its committees,” Weisbrod said. “Because each committee has 2 Republicans and2 Democrats, if they’re working right, everybody’s input is incorporated in the decision-making.”
He said the committees — including Human Resources, Audit, Investment Advisory, Law, Policy and Procedures, Budget, and the reactivated Debt and Fund Balance Policy Committee — are meeting regularly and working through complex financial questions.
“The committees are all functioning at a high level,” Weisbrod said.
The Debt and Fund Balance Policy Committee, which had not met for several years, has resumed work reviewing longterm capital needs, including school projects and major infrastructure planning.
“The dialogue has been extremely good,” Weisbrod said. “The town finance staff has done a terrific job in presenting the numbers that Fred provided. And we on the BET are kicking the tires, talking to the schools and town departments.”
He said the goal is to understand capital plans well before they formally enter future budgets.
“The idea is to get a handle on this well in advance,” Weisbrod said.
Weisbrod also credited town staff for managing simultaneous responsibilities during the peak of budget season.
“This is the heart of the season right now, February, March,” he said. “Everybody’s working hard.”
He added that the finance staff and budget director are “working flat out” preparing fiscal year 2027 materials while continuing to manage ongoing financial operations.
Republican members describe a similarly improved atmosphere.
“I think we have a much better Republican team on the BET that is working well together,” said Harry Fisher, former BET chairman and current member. “We’re meeting on a weekly basis. We have respect for each other.”
Fisher characterized the Republican role as constructive under Democratic control.
“We’re good people that are interested in doing the best by the town,” he said. “At the end of the day, local issues are not partisan.”
Joe Kelly, a Republican BET member and former chair of the Board of Education, said the most significant challenges will emerge during detailed budget negotiations.
“The challenges or the stress pressures will be when we address the budget,” Kelly said.
As a newer member, Kelly said he has found departmental presentations demanding but informative.
“Just listening to all the different departments make their presentations, I find it incredibly interesting how all the different departments run,” Kelly said.
He described his broader fiscal approach as pragmatic.
“My goal would be certainly to try to figure out how we can get everybody what they need,” Kelly said, noting that budget proposals often anticipate reductions.
For residents seeking to review detailed figures, meeting schedules, and official documents, materials are available at the town’s website.
Budget Committee meeting calendar: https://www.greenwichct.gov/DocumentCenter/View/53092/BET-Budget-Committee-FY20262027-Budget-Meeting-Calendar?bidId=
Board of Estimate and Taxation budget materials: https://www.greenwichct.gov
