Guilford's $114M Budget Approved, 2 Other Referendums Pass

GUILFORD, CT – Guilford's proposed $114.6 million budget passed by 348 votes according to the referendum results on April 18, representing a $4.7 million increase from last year.

The $114.6 million budget encompasses the city's operating and Guilford Public Schools budgets for the 2023-24 school year.

On the town's side, the approved 2023-24 operating budget is $45.9 million, an increase of $1.6 million over last year's $44.2 million.

For Guilford Public Schools, the approved 2023-24 school budget is $68.7 million, an increase of $3.1 million over the 2022-23 school year budget.

Despite increases in city and school budgets, the finance board, at its March 9 budget workshop, reduced the proposed Board of Education budget by $100,000 and the town's budget by $50,000.

About 13 percent of the town's registered voters turned out to vote for the budget referendum on March 18.

The final vote to approve the budget was 1,267 yes votes and 919 no votes.

There were two other items on the referendum town voters cast ballots on, choosing either yes or no.

Question 2, appropriate $1.3 million for renovations and improvements at various schools and board of education facilities, replace tennis courts at Guilford High School, replace the gym floor at Baldwin Middle School, passed with 1,375 yes votes and 808 no votes.

Question 3, appropriate $6.1 million for road and facility improvements, purchase of vehicles, and public safety communications infrastructure upgrades, passed with 1,456 yes votes and 727 no votes.