MONROE, Conn. — Voters overwhelmingly supported the $113.6 million town budget proposal for fiscal year 2026-27 at referendum Tuesday, approving it by a vote of 1,864 to 1,193, nearly 61 percent, according to unofficial results from the Monroe Registrars of Voters Office.
In a budget process, in which many parents spoke out in favor of fully funding Monroe’s public schools, the town had its highest voter turnout since 2017 at just under 23 percent.
Several education supporters waited in the gym of the Monroe Community Center to hear the results after the polls closed and exchanged celebratory hugs when the budget passed. Among them was Elizabeth Richer.
“Monroe voted ‘yes’ tonight and our town is better for it,” she said. “Thank you to every neighbor who took the time to learn about this budget, ask questions, and cast a vote in support of our town. Thank you also to all of our neighbors who work every day to make our community a stronger place, from our full time employees to our elected and appointed board members. Today’s vote reminds us what is possible when this community comes together.”
The spending plan includes $35,943,054 for municipal services and contingency funding and $77,700,763 for education. It carries a 4.2 percent tax increase, with the expected mill rate rising from 28.67 to 29.879 mills.
Individual tax bills can be calculated by multiplying one’s assessed property value by 29.879 — the rate the Board of Finance is expected to set in a special meeting — then dividing by 1,000.
Board of Education Chairman Dennis Condon said, “it’s excellent to see such a great turnout by the community. I’d like to see 90 percent, but over 20 percent is fantastic. I think the town has spoken and it supports the efforts to create a budget that is supportive of both the town and the Board of Education.”
Superintendent Joseph Kobza said, “the voters made a powerful statement today, and I cannot thank them enough for validating the months of hard work that went into this budget. This outcome is a significant step forward in meeting the evolving needs of our students and staff, ensuring our classrooms remain environments of innovation, safety, and excellence.”
“Today’s overwhelming turnout demonstrates a clear, shared priority for the health of our schools and the strength of our town,” Kobza said. “It is a reminder that, even in challenging times, our community remains deeply committed to the future of our children.”
“I would be remiss if I did not extend my deepest gratitude to our most dedicated advocates,” he added. “So many people volunteered tirelessly to share our vision and encourage neighbors to head to the polls. Their passion and persistence paid off in a big way today, and our entire district is the beneficiary of their hard work.”
First Selectman Terry Rooney was pleased with the higher voter turnout.
“Monroe is a strong town with a lot of spirit and I’m so proud to be leading such a vibrant community as your first selectman,” he said. “Tonight’s vote shows us what our stakeholders find important by exercising our right to vote, which I believe is the greatest example of democracy.”
“Although there was a much larger turnout than in the last 11 years I have been involved in the budget process, it’s my personal belief that the turnout is still low compared to the number of registered voters we have in town,” Rooney continued. “This budget however did care about everyone, including but not limited to park maintenance, road construction, capital projects, senior tax relief, and our education needs.”
“I’m grateful for the community involvement and I have met so many new folks through this budget process who care so much about the future of Monroe,” he said. “Moving forward we welcome new ideas and conversations that will continue the progress we are accomplishing in our town.”
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This is a Major Win for the Education crowd, parents, and town as a whole, but Make no mistake, the Budget cuts to the schools were created by FS Rooney in the first place. Education will always be a back burner topic for him and the rest of his squad. This is evident the last time a budget vote happened, parents came out to speak out against the cuts, the budget was put to a vote and passed yet nothing was learned by the FS as the cuts came again. It was voted on and passed showing what the voting majority in this town truly wants. History repeats itself.
As someone paying taxes in town and has no children in the school system, more money should have been added to the education budget. I’m tired of hearing from the Anti Education crowd that it is too much money. A town’s economic growth needs to be two fronts, the school system to attract more parents to our beautiful town and businesses. Since we can’t handle the latter, unless you want to open a Pizza Place, Nail salon, or Smoke shop, we need the former.
The people concerned for our schools and our education, I’ll tell you, this isn’t the end of the fight. The schools in town are plagued with problems that need to be fixed, things that have gone overlooked for a number of years including when the previous FS was in office.
Thank you,
Monroe is becoming unaffordable. As a life long republican, 36 year resident of Monroe and supporter of Mr. Rooney, I find it unacceptable that our taxes have been increased by nearly 12 percent over the last 2 years. Last year we were asked to accept the pain due to revaluation. this year we were forced to accept a budget that was over inflated by health care costs that were accepted without push back and a bloated education budget. Mr. Rooney, I ask that you re-evaluate your priorities as a fiscal conservative and perform better next budget cycle.