Board of Selectmen sets temporary FY2026-27 mill rate at 19.5 to avoid service cuts
June 25, 2026 | Thompson, Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut
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The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously Wednesday to set a temporary mill rate of 19.5 for fiscal year 2026–27 to allow the town to issue first-quarter tax bills and keep services running while final budget decisions are made.
First Selectman Nick Dun, who introduced the proposal, said the temporary rate is meant to "get first quarter tax bills out and keep our town moving, keep the lights on, keep payroll paid" while the town finalizes its fiscal plan. He described the measure as "the smart move" to avoid furloughs or service closures.
The temporary rate is needed after the town-side and school-side proposals diverged at recent votes. Dun said the school-side 19.88 proposal failed and that moving from 19.88 to 19.5 would require roughly $440,000 in additional cuts. He emphasized the temporary nature of the vote and that it is not the final mill rate for the year.
Board members asked what would happen if the final, adopted mill rate is lower than 19.5. Finance Director Bill Stegllet explained that, in that situation, the town typically does not issue refunds; instead, any excess funds are set aside to offset the following year’s mill rate. That explanation was offered in response to a question from a board member asking whether the town would issue refunds or simply adjust future bills.
The town’s tax collector, identified in the meeting transcript as Scottson, suggested an alternate billing approach: issue only the real estate and personal property installment bills at the temporary 19.5 rate (those are billed in installments) and delay motor vehicle bills until after the budget is finalized. That approach, the collector said, could avoid the administrative burden of issuing refunds if the final rate is lower.
After discussion, a motion to set the temporary mill rate at 19.5 was moved and seconded and passed by a voice vote; the chair recorded the motion as passing unanimously. The board then moved to adjourn; the chair said additional meetings will follow as budget work continues.
Details and next steps: the board described the temporary mill rate as a stopgap to preserve municipal operations while deeper budget negotiations continue. The finance office and tax collector will coordinate billing logistics and provide updates to the public as they become available.
First Selectman Nick Dun, who introduced the proposal, said the temporary rate is meant to "get first quarter tax bills out and keep our town moving, keep the lights on, keep payroll paid" while the town finalizes its fiscal plan. He described the measure as "the smart move" to avoid furloughs or service closures.
The temporary rate is needed after the town-side and school-side proposals diverged at recent votes. Dun said the school-side 19.88 proposal failed and that moving from 19.88 to 19.5 would require roughly $440,000 in additional cuts. He emphasized the temporary nature of the vote and that it is not the final mill rate for the year.
Board members asked what would happen if the final, adopted mill rate is lower than 19.5. Finance Director Bill Stegllet explained that, in that situation, the town typically does not issue refunds; instead, any excess funds are set aside to offset the following year’s mill rate. That explanation was offered in response to a question from a board member asking whether the town would issue refunds or simply adjust future bills.
The town’s tax collector, identified in the meeting transcript as Scottson, suggested an alternate billing approach: issue only the real estate and personal property installment bills at the temporary 19.5 rate (those are billed in installments) and delay motor vehicle bills until after the budget is finalized. That approach, the collector said, could avoid the administrative burden of issuing refunds if the final rate is lower.
After discussion, a motion to set the temporary mill rate at 19.5 was moved and seconded and passed by a voice vote; the chair recorded the motion as passing unanimously. The board then moved to adjourn; the chair said additional meetings will follow as budget work continues.
Details and next steps: the board described the temporary mill rate as a stopgap to preserve municipal operations while deeper budget negotiations continue. The finance office and tax collector will coordinate billing logistics and provide updates to the public as they become available.
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