Who is defending the Greenwich Taxpayer?

The Town budget for 2026-27 was presented to the public on Tuesday January 27 and it is a whopper. Projected annual operating spending is $543 million, the capital budget is a staggering $100 million per year, and a surprisingly large cutback in federal and state funding could mean an aggregate property tax increase of +6.85%. Based on the existing grand list values, taxpayers could face a mill rate of 12.765, an increase of +6.01%. First Selectman Camillo's presentation is here. Public School Superintendent Jones' presentation is here. The full video replay is here. and here.

Spending Above Inflation. Education spending consists of the bulk of the budget. It will again rise faster than general town spending at +4.3% due to contractual increases in teacher contracts—now the highest in the state—and a +13% increase in related health care costs. Town expenses are driven by full-time headcount increases at Nathaniel Witherell, Police, Finance and the Library. Add to that a cutback in federal/state aid and other transfers, and residents could face a significant tax hit this year.

Sizable Capital Projects. Beyond the annual operating spending, there is a staggering $541 million in new capital projects scheduled for the next five years—roughly $100 million per year. The new projects are on top of $90 million in unfinished projects including Central Middle School and Old Greenwich School (scheduled to start in April 2026, after a one year delay and a surprise $8 million overrun). The largest projects on the docket include $60 million for a new sizable Greenwich High School Natatorium (plus relocating 8 tennis courts and a secondary access road), $43+ million to renovate Riverside School (building committee just formed and the real cost not yet determined), and $28 million to construct a new School Administration Building (assuming an exit from the Havemeyer Building).

Wider Community Interests. Many residents have interests beyond just schools and want to see long-delayed town projects move forward. These projects include a new $41+ million Dorothy Hamill Rink, $27.5 million for a 5-year highway paving program, $25+ million for West Brothers Brook drainage improvements and other town-wide drainage projects, $11 million (assuming private funding) to redevelop Roger Sherman Baldwin Park, $8 million for replacing the Byram River Bridge, and $3.5 million for the OG/Stamford multi-use trail.

Greenwich Growth challenges. Greenwich currently has 64,000 residents and has seen minimal population growth in recent years. While home values have soared, commercial/retail values have not, meaning a rising tax burden will be absorbed almost exclusively by existing homeowners. Of greater concern, student enrollment in the public schools has been on a worrisome decline. Over the last decade, public school enrollment fell -5.7% (from 8,825 students to 8,319 students). Last year alone, the district lost 146 students—a -1.7% drop. While the school district is letting attrition work down the staffing levels, this may not be enough to cushion the blow to taxpayers. The salaries, health care and pension costs of town and school employees are significant. When resident and student growth is flat to down, managing expensive headcount is a critical balancing act.

Between the Lines: The challenge is to keep Greenwich great without pricing out the people who live here. Let the belt-tightening begin.

Info Here