Earlier this week, Town officials released the data for Wilton’s Oct. 1, 2025 Grand List, which shows an overall increase of 1.81% over 2024. According to a press release issued by First Selectman Toni Boucher, Wilton Manager of Assessing and Tax Collection Hollie Rapp reported increases in all property areas, including real estate, personal property and motor vehicles.
The Grand List is the official annual tally of all taxable real estate, motor vehicles and personal property within a municipality, and it serves as the base for calculating the town’s tax rate (mill rate).
“Wilton continues to experience substantial growth in its Grand List appraisal for the second year in a row,” Boucher said, adding, “We are grateful for the extreme care and long hours that Hollie spent compiling this report.”
While real estate remains by far the largest component of the Grand List, the most pronounced percentage growth came from motor vehicles, which increased by more than 6%.
Boucher characterized the increase as positive for taxpayers.
“A strong increase in a municipality’s overall Grand List is often good news for property tax payers, because when all boats rise, an individual’s property taxes will only increase if their property’s value surpasses that of the Grand List,” she said.
“This critically important news arrives just as budget negotiations are underway for fiscal year ’27. Knowing the 2027 Grand List value should help the Board of Finance reduce the tax rates that may result from this year’s budget cycle,” she added.
However, the effect of a larger Grand List on individual tax bills is more nuanced and the exact impact residents will see depends on details about the property on which the Grand List is based and how the rest of the budget cycle proceeds. A higher Grand List does not guarantee lower taxes, nor does it ensure that tax rates will be reduced.
Because Wilton did not conduct a town-wide revaluation this year, most existing property assessments remained unchanged, with the increase driven largely by new construction, additions, and other newly taxable property. The figures released by the town do not break out how much of the real estate growth came from residential property versus new commercial growth and development, a distinction that can be significant in a community where the tax base is predominantly residential. In general, growth driven primarily by residential property does not necessarily ease the tax burden on homeowners.
A higher Grand List also does not automatically mean lower tax rates or no tax increase at all. If the budget increases faster than the Grand List, taxes can still rise. It can possibly offset any tax increases but there are other factors to consider, including budget increases and debt service.
Final tax bills will be determined later in the budget process, once the Board of Finance sets the mill rate based on adopted spending levels and if the proposed mill rate is approved at the Annual Town Meeting by voters.
Town officials are in the process of putting together budgets. The Board of Education has a completed budget from the Superintendent of Schools, and meets with the Board of Finance on Tuesday, Feb. 10 to review it. The Board of Selectmen is continuing to meet with town department heads and does not yet have a completed budget.