Ridgefield BOS Votes On 2025/26 Budget

**News Release Submitted by Ridgefield Board of Selectpersons**

Feb. 28, 2025

The Board of Selectpersons (BOS) held their second round of budget meetings this week to discuss the 2025/2026 budget. On Wednesday, they wrapped up the discussions and concluded with four votes:

1. Sean Connelly motioned to approve the Town operating budget of $47,081,269. Chris Murray seconded. The motion carried 5-0.
2. Maureen Kozlark motioned to approve the debt service for $7,934,527. Sean Connelly seconded. The motion carried 5-0.
3. Sean Connelly motioned to approve the capital budget of $7,124,495. Maureen Kozlark seconded. The motion carried 5-0.
4. Maureen Kozlark motioned to make a non-binding recommendation to the Board of Finance (BOF) for the Board of Education (BOE) operating budget of $119,522,300 (3.89% increase). Chris Murray seconded. Rudy Marconi and Sean Connelly opposed. The motion carried 3-0.
   • Prior to the approved motion, Sean Connelly motioned to make a non-binding recommendation to the BOF for the full BOE operating budget request of $119,885,958 (4.21% increase). Rudy Marconi seconded. Maureen Kozlark, Chris Murray, and Barbara Manners opposed. The motion failed 2-3.

The BOF will hold a public hearing on at East Ridge Middle School on March 24, 2025 at 7 p.m., and then deliberate before making a recommendation for the vote at the Annual Town Meeting on May 5, 2025, and the Budget Referendum on May 13, 2025.

Watch the budget meetings here.