Alves Update: 'Danbury’s 2025/2026 Budget: A Blueprint For Progress'

**News Release Submitted by Danbury Mayor Roberto Alves**

Danbury’s 2025/2026 Budget: A Blueprint for Progress

One of my most important responsibilities as Mayor is building a city budget that reflects Danbury’s values and priorities.

Now that the new fiscal year is underway and the budget has taken effect, the results are already evident across our city. From roadwork to school investments to public safety upgrades, this year’s bipartisan budget is already delivering, keeping taxes low while making meaningful investments in public safety, education, infrastructure, and economic development.

So, what does that actually look like in the day-to-day lives of Danbury residents?

For the average homeowner in Danbury, the 0.5 mill rate increase comes out to about 50 cents a day. For 50 cents a day, we’re already putting more police on the streets, repaving roads, upgrading our infrastructure and public spaces, funding the Danbury High School West campus, and keeping our city on strong financial footing.

That’s not just a fair deal -- it’s a responsible one.

A year ago, we were still cleaning up the fiscal mess we inherited – delayed audits, risk of losing multiple credit ratings. Today, we’ve not just caught up, we’ve restored trust in how Danbury manages taxpayer dollars and strengthened our long-term stability. With a strong AA+ bond rating, allowing us to borrow at lower rates and invest more efficiently in our city’s future.

Public safety remains one of the largest drivers of this budget, and one of the most important responsibilities I carry as Mayor. This year, we’re investing $47.4 million in public safety to upgrade technology and equipment, expand training, hire five new police officers - bringing the department to 175 sworn officers, a goal I set when I took office. We’re also investing in a new fire station on the West Side. We’re also providing our first responders with the tools they need to respond quickly and effectively.

Trust and safety go hand in hand, and I’m proud that our police and fire departments continue to build that trust with residents every day.

Another key priority is our infrastructure. After years of underinvestment and falling behind in road work, we’re finally catching up, and residents are seeing that progress in real time. Paving crews are already out across the city, working to double the miles of roadwork we complete annually, from 8 miles to 15. That means smoother roads, better connectivity, and a stronger foundation for future growth.

We’re also moving forward with vital public works projects, from improvements to our parks and waterways, water systems and city facilities, all with an eye toward sustainability and long-term maintenance.

This isn’t a promise on paper. It’s progress you can literally see in action today.

As a parent of two public school students, and a product of Danbury’s public schools, I know firsthand the importance of strong, adequately funded schools. With Danbury High School West opening this fall, we’re entering a milestone moment for education in our city, and that means long-term costs we need to meet responsibly.

Thanks to the financial audits my administration completed, and to the hard work of our Finance Department, we uncovered Board of Education surpluses that should now be put to work thoughtfully and transparently. With those audits behind us and new financial clarity in place, the Board now has an opportunity – and a responsibility – to use these resources wisely and effectively on behalf of our students.

This year, the Board of Education requested $194.4 million, a $34.4 million increase over last year. While I respect their goals, and certainly their needs, I also have to be mindful of our taxpayers. That’s why I proposed $172 million in direct education funding – the largest increase in recent years.

This direct funding comes on top of significant state support and in-kind contributions from the city. Add to that $9 million more in ECS funding, and $4 million in municipal aid we fought for in Hartford, and over $12 million in in-kind services from the city – and Danbury’s total investment in education this year will reach nearly $200 million. That’s a real commitment, and a sustainable one.

Beyond these pillars, public safety, education, roads and infrastructure, this year’s budget also strengthens the core services that keep our city running. From public health and housing to recreation and economic development, we’re funding departments thoughtfully, streamlining where we can, and modernizing city services to meet the needs of a growing Danbury.

This year’s budget strikes the right balance: investing in our future while protecting taxpayers, building long-term stability while tackling today’s challenges. It reflects the kind of city we all want Danbury to be: safe, strong, connected, and growing in the right way.

We’ll always lead with common sense, responsibility, and accountability, and a focus on what’s prudent – and what’s possible. This isn’t just a budget, it’s a blueprint for the kind of progress you can see in action. And I’m excited for what we’ll accomplish together in the year ahead.