Wallingford Mayor Proposes 19% Tax Increase In 2025-26 Budget

WALLINGFORD, CT — Wallingford Mayor Vincent Cervoni is proposing a budget for 2025-26 that reduces the tax rate by 5.82 mills, but the average homeowner would pay more than $1,100 in taxes over the previous year following revaluation.

In a letter submitting the proposed budget to the Town Council, Cervoni wrote that local property taxes of $147.9 million at a rate of 24.84 mills are required to fund the spending plan.

“This is a 5.94% increase over last year’s required local property taxes of $139,610,261,” Cervoni wrote. “Due to revaluation, this is a decrease of 5.82 mills from the current mill rate of 30.66 mills. At the proposed mill rate of 24.84, the average residential property parcel, now assessed at $277,618, would generate $6,896 in taxes, an increase of 19.18% from the current tax bill of $5,786.”

In presenting the proposed budget, Cervoni wrote that it “addresses the rising costs of conducting the town’s business while seeing to the needs of the community.”

“Amidst the rising costs, we are continuing to serve the community needs at current levels, while continuing to modernize government,” he wrote. “Driving the budget process this year are several trends including, negotiated wage increases in collective bargaining agreements allowing this town to be a competitive and rewarding employer. We are also faced with the exhaustion of prior budget leveling money, like CRRA funds and ARPA funds which had been a helpful tool in keeping the town’s capital costs down.”

Cervoni is recommending using $9 million from the fund balance to help offset costs.

Cervoni also recommended a roughly 3.5 percent increase for the Board of Education, which reduced the school board’s request by $382,900.

In the letter, Cervoni noted that the Board of Education’s budget was reduced to reflect the actual increase in employee health insurance, which is 8 percent. It was estimated to be 10 percent at the time the Board of Education adopted its proposed budget.

Read Cervoni’s full letter to the Town Council here.

In a follow-up post on Facebook, Cervoni provided additional context and explanation for how the budget was put together.

Read the full post below:

Dear Wallingford Residents,

As your Mayor, it is important that I share with you what went into the process that lead to the proposed budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It is a plan that reflects our shared commitment to keeping Wallingford a vibrant, thriving, and forward-looking community. I would like to follow up yesterday’s formal submission of the budget to the Town Council with some additional context and explanation for how this budget was put together.

This budget was carefully crafted with input from our dedicated town departments and the Board of Education. It balances the rising costs of delivering exceptional services with our promise to modernize government and meet your needs.

Here’s why I believe this budget is a win for all of us:

Investing in Our People

One of the cornerstones of this budget is our focus on the incredible individuals who serve our town every day. Negotiated wage increases in collective bargaining agreements ensure that Wallingford remains a competitive and rewarding place to work. By supporting our employees—from our firefighters and police officers to our teachers and utility workers—we’re ensuring that the high-quality services you rely on continue without interruption. Happy, well-supported employees mean a stronger, safer, and more connected community for all of us.

Education: A Priority We’re Proud Of

Our Board of Education has worked diligently to present a modest increase of $4,554,897, which we’ve fine-tuned to $4,171,997 after adjusting for actual health insurance costs. This investment in our schools reflects our dedication to providing top-notch education while being mindful of taxpayer resources. It’s a testament to the Board’s responsiveness to last year’s feedback from the administration and Town Council, ensuring that every dollar spent supports our students’ success. From classroom resources to innovative programs, this budget keeps our schools at the heart of Wallingford’s future.

Modernizing for You

We’re not just maintaining the status quo—we’re moving forward! This budget boosts our Information Technology department, consolidating shared software and hardware expenses to streamline operations across town government. Additionally, we’re rolling out a consumer-friendly online bill-pay system by the next tax payment cycle. Paying your bills will soon be easier and more convenient than ever—a small but meaningful way we’re bringing Wallingford into the future.

Smart Financial Management

Despite the exhaustion of one-time funds like CRRA and ARPA, we’ve found creative ways to keep our finances strong. We’re proposing to use $9 million from our robust unassigned fund balance (as of the 2023-24 audit) to offset costs. Keeping our Aa1 credit rating intact is assisted by maintaining an unallocated reserve of $22million. Local property tax collection will rise by 5.94% to $147,902,741, but thanks to revaluation, the mill rate drops from 30.66 to 24.84—a decrease of 5.82 mills. For the average homeowner, this means a manageable adjustment that supports the services we all value.

Utilities: Stability and Sustainability

Our Electric, Water, and Sewer Divisions are poised for success. The Electric Division sees revenue growth thanks to a Power Cost Adjustment, while operating expenses decrease due to completed projects and smart staffing shifts. The Water Division continues to operate efficiently with rates set last year, funding critical upgrades like dam repairs and equipment replacements. The Sewer Division’s proposed rate increases will generate $798,334 in additional revenue, supporting essential infrastructure improvements. These efforts ensure reliable utilities for years to come.

Listening to You

This budget reflects what we’ve heard from you, our residents. From adding an EMS lieutenant to the Fire Department starting January 2026 to reviving the Government TV Manager position, we’re responding to your needs. Capital investments—like $500,000 for substation breakers, $1,200,000 for distribution transformers, and $250,000 for sewer collection system lining—show our commitment to infrastructure that keeps Wallingford running smoothly.

A Balanced Approach

Yes, costs are rising—health insurance is up 8%, debt service by $137,967, and pension funding needs a boost—but we’ve trimmed requests where possible. General Government department heads’ $9,450,947 ask was reduced by $2,603,701, and Education’s increase was adjusted downward by $382,900. These decisions keep the budget lean while preserving the services that make Wallingford special.

Your Voice Matters

This proposed budget, totaling $207,237,034 for the General Fund, is a roadmap to a stronger Wallingford. It’s about investing in our people, our schools, and our infrastructure while keeping taxes reasonable and services exceptional. I encourage you to review the details — available in the full budget document — and share your thoughts. Together, we can adopt a plan that reflects our shared values and builds a future we’re all proud of. One of the centerpieces of my administration is the concept of “Wallingford World Wide,” where we strengthen and continue to make Wallingford a destination for business and families. This budget represents the best way to meet our obligations and continue building towards an even stronger future.

Here’s to another year of progress in Wallingford!

Warm regards,

Vincent Cervoni

Mayor of Wallingford

>>>Read More: Mayor Cervoni’s Proposed 2025-26 Budget