Scotland selectmen warn state cuts, tax changes could force property tax increase

First Selectman Dana Barrow Jr. told the Scotland Board of Selectmen on April 23 that recent state actions have significantly squeezed the town's revenue outlook and may require a property tax increase.

Treasurer David Zito presented departmental budget proposals for fiscal year 2025–26 and outlined the town’s current finances. Barrow said the Veterans Tax Exemption “has taken over a million dollars in property value off our Grand List, or just under 2%,” and warned that a change in how motor vehicle taxes are calculated will further reduce motor-vehicle receipts and shift more burden to property taxpayers.

Barrow also said early voting could cost the town about $25,000 a year — roughly one-quarter of a mill on the tax rate — and added that the town is watching other legislative proposals that could affect small towns’ revenues and obligations. He said Scotland is coordinating with regional groups including NECCOG, the Council of Small Towns and the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities on bills that could affect local budgets.

The board approved dates to discuss the budget publicly: a Public Information Session on May 15, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. and the Annual Town Meeting on June 5, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. Residents can review the departmental presentations attached to the minutes and bring questions to those sessions.

What happens next: the board and town staff will continue budget work and hold the May 15 information session before the June 5 Annual Town Meeting, where voters will consider any proposed tax or budget changes.