First selectman Bill Brennan sent information to local media regarding mill rates and tax increases for towns in southwestern CT.

The two attached charts [below] are the result of a survey over the last two months of Southwestern CT municipalities. The data at this time is considered to be final, but minor adjustments may be reported at a later date.

All municipalities cope with similar inflationary and other cost pressures, such as union and non-union employee wage and benefit increases, pension contributions, utilities, materials and supply increases, etc.

However, every municipality is different. Each community has different population and grand list/tax base levels, as well as commercial enterprise segments, which contribute to each community’s tax revenues. In addition, each community has different capital spending projects/debt obligations, accounting policies, budget fund balance requirements and, of course, political influences.

In brief, these charts provide an informal comparison of a broad range of Southwestern CT municipalities, which may be helpful in understanding where Wilton fits into this survey group.

FY2016 Comparison of Mill Rates SW CT(2)[1]
FY2016 Comparison yr-yr inc SW CT[2]

3 replies on “Brennan OP-ED: See Where Wilton Compares to Other Towns in Mill Rates and Taxes”

  1. Mill rates are a very poor way to compare how economically a town is at providing services. If tomorrow, magically the value of our homes where to double, or the town to say they are worth twice as much our mill rates would be cut in half, but we would still pay the same property tax.

    Please give me more meaning full numbers like, how much per person the town is spending? Or how much per pupil we spend in the schools? Compare what other towns provide vs Wilton.

    As I said, mill rates are a very ineffective way of comparing one town’s spending to the other.

    1. I agree. There must be some logical reason why we pay more tax as a percentage on property than towns that compare with us. We have a great town but we don’t have the amenities of many neighboring towns, like beaches and large parks

      1. OK, just so we’re clear: the goal is to have all the amenities we have now plus every amenity of every surrounding town, and also the lowest tax rate. Is that correct?

Comments are closed.