As Taxes Grow, West Hartford To host Budget Forums, Hearing Next Week

Town of West Hartford

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Residents and taxpayers next week can learn about proposed municipal spending packages that will determine municipal services and their taxes.

Local leaders on Monday, March 31, are hosting two community conversations on the FY 2025-26 budget, which includes municipal and education services.

A brief overview will be followed by a question-and-answer period.

Sessions will be held on Wednesday, March 31, at 8:45 a.m. at the Faxon Branch Library, 1073 New Britain Ave., and at 6 p.m. that day at the Noah Webster Library, 20 S. Main St.

Then, the West Hartford Town Council on Tuesday, April 1, will host the town's annual budget hearing, where residents/taxpayers can formally weigh in on spending and give the council input.

That hearing will take place at 2 p.m. at West Hartford Town Hall, 50 S. Main St., West Hartford.

An evening budget hearing will take place a week later on Tuesday, April 8, at 6 p.m. at the town hall.

Public officials expected to attend Monday's forums include West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor, West Hartford Deputy Mayor Ben Wenograd, West Hartford Board of Education Chairperson Lorna Thomas-Farquharson, and West Hartford Board of Education Vice Chairperson Shannon Marimón.

Click the links to preview the proposed FY 2026 Town Budget and Board of Education.

Budgets directly impact taxpayers' bills annually, with the elected members of the West Hartford Town Council voting in May on the total spending packages, thus deciding the budgets.

Right now, the combined town/school spending plan for 2025-26 is $370.29 million, which is a 6.5 percent increase over the current fiscal year.

This would require a tax increase of 2.86 mills for real estate/personal property, which amounts to about a 6.75 percent tax hike.

In West Hartford, all town/school spending plans are formally adopted by the town council, usually in May.

Anyone requiring auxiliary aid or service, effective communication, or modification of policies or procedures to participate in a meeting, service, program, or activity of the Town of West Hartford should contact Yeraida Reinheimer at Yeraida.Reinheimer@westhartfordct.gov or 860-561-7440 as soon as possible.

From March 12: 'West Hartford Faces Skyrocketing Taxes This Budget Year'