Berlin keeps current tax rate, adopts mix of cuts and deferrals to close $280,000 shortfall

Berlin — The Berlin mayor and council voted unanimously May 11 to keep the town’s real property tax rate at the current 0.8275 cents per $100 of assessed value and to adopt a package of targeted cuts and deferrals intended to close an estimated $280,000 shortfall in the FY27 general fund.

Finance director Natalie outlined adjustments to revenue and expense lines, including modest revenue increases and multiple expenditure reductions. Councilors focused most of their debate on whether to buy two new pickup trucks and a dump truck for public works or to postpone that spending and other capital improvements to avoid tapping reserves or raising taxes.

The package the council agreed on includes deferring the Ash Avenue street project (estimated about $225,000) and removing two Ford F‑250 pickups from the capital list (about $65,000), along with smaller adjustments to operating line items. The council also left a 5% personnel increase in the draft budget. The mayor urged caution about recurring reserve draws, saying dipping into reserves is not sustainable in the long term.

"I don't want a tax increase. I don't like paying more for eggs at the grocery store," the mayor said during the debate, arguing that residents and council alike prefer solutions that do not raise ongoing tax levels.

Public works staff described the operational risks of retiring older vehicles, saying several trucks regularly need emergency repairs and that losing a dump truck would reduce winter‑response capacity. "We run to the wheels are falling off," a public works supervisor said, describing rusted frames and failing components on fleet vehicles in daily service.

Council members balanced those operational concerns with fiscal limits. One councilor summarized the choice bluntly: spend reserves now for vehicle purchases or accept delayed capital projects and pared‑back purchases to keep taxes stable.

The council amended and adopted Ordinance 2026‑03 to set the tax rate at 0.8275 cents per $100 and recorded a unanimous vote. The budget balancing decisions were taken by consensus over the budget discussion; staff will bring required budget amendments and scheduling details to future meetings.

What comes next: staff will finalize the FY27 budget documents and return with the formal budget ordinance and any recommended amendments or budget‑amendment schedules for council consideration.