When Referendum Voters Reject $65M Budget: Town Manager Explains

NORTH BRANFORD, CT —

Voters cast their one-question referendum ballots Tuesday: "Shall the Town Council Recommended Budget of $65,044,838, which will require a mill rate of 27.84 mills, be adopted?"

Voters rejected the budget.

"With a turnout of 20.1%, the residents of North Branford have spoken at today's town-wide budget referendum and rejected the Town Council's recommended budget of $65 million and 27.84 mills," Town Manager Michael Downes wrote.

The budget now returns to the Town Council for revision, Downes said. "Under the Charter they must act before June 1st, 2025."

What does that mean?

Downes responded to voter questions about the revision process on Facebook.

Downes was asked if "Binding" means the Council has to meet and discuss the budget before it can be accepted but at this meeting, can choose to ignore the vote and advance the 27.84 mill budget increase as is.

Downes: The Charter states under Sec. C8-5 “ if at least 15% of the electors vote and the total votes to reject exceed the total votes to accept the budget shall be deemed rejected, and the Council, taking into consideration the composition of the vote to reject, shall adopt a new budget by June 1st.”

In a follow-up question, the Town Manager was asked if there is "no legal requirement to reduce it a specific amount? So if they just cut $1 off it, it's fine?"

Downes answered this way: "That is the extent of what the Charter says."

"I know the Council isn't aiming to make superficial cuts. They and I take the will of the voters very seriously, and we are listening to them," Downes said in a statement to Patch. "We will work to address them as we revisit the FY 25-26 budget."

Here are the referendum results: