Fairfield Board Of Finance Approves $384M Budget For 2025-26

FAIRFIELD, CT — The Fairfield Board of Finance voted this week to approve a $383,922,025 budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year, advancing the town’s budget process ahead of final consideration by the Representative Town Meeting in May.

The budget includes a $1.4 million increase in projected revenues and restores $1 million to the Board of Education budget. Officials said the education funding restoration was made possible by savings from a recent switch in the town’s health insurance provider, which avoided more than $1 million in projected cost increases.

The RTM is scheduled to discuss the proposed budget later this month, with a final vote expected on May 5.

Board of Finance Chair Lori Charlton said after Wednesday's meeting that the budget balances critical investments with a modest tax increase.

"Despite significant financial headwinds, this budget moves the town forward with robust education funding, enhancements to public safety, funding for critical infrastructure, and organizational changes that permit improved operational and financial management," Charlton said.

She added, "I thank the administration and the Board of Education for doing the hard work of identifying cost savings and revenue to fund these initiatives while maintaining a modest tax increase, and I look forward to the RTM’s input."

The budget was approved along a party-line vote of 5-4, with Democratic members Charlton, Craig Curley, Kevin Starke, Shane Pendley and John Mitola voting in favor, with Republicans Mary LeClerc, Jim Meyers, Amy Ruggiero, and Jim Walsh opposing it.

Officials said the town used surplus funds — accumulated from previous years — to keep the increase to the mill rate low, while also investing in long-deferred infrastructure projects.

Key provisions of the proposed budget include, according to First Selectman Bill Gerber:

• Education: An additional $1 million restored to the education budget.
• Infrastructure: Funding for upgrades to the town’s aging sewer system and HVAC improvements in public schools.
• Public Safety: Funding for five new police officers and the implementation of automated speeding enforcement in school zones.
• Government Restructuring: Integration of the Parking Authority into a new town department and consolidation of Parks and Recreation with Human and Social Services under a new “Community Services” division.
• Administrative Enhancements: Creation of a full-time grants manager position, hiring of a risk manager, and establishment of a capital projects group to reduce reliance on external contractors.

Gerber said the budget reflects a focus on services while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

"I am proud of the hard work we did to find efficiencies and savings that enabled the Board of Finance to restore additional funding to the education budget," Gerber said. "This is a carefully scrutinized budget that reflects our dedication to providing the services Fairfield residents need and expect without a significant burden on taxpayers."