Thank you for your continued engagement and for the many thoughtful questions you’ve shared with me in recent weeks. As your State Representative, I want to provide context on Hamden’s current budget challenges, as well as highlight what’s being done at the local level, and explain why your input continues to matter.
Hamden is facing a tough budget year. The Fiscal Year (FY26) proposed budget is $313,653,000, up from $299,148,119 in FY25—a 4.85% increase. Those figures may sound steep, but it's important to understand that the FY25 budget was already an austerity budget. The proposed increases for FY26 are largely tied to contractual obligations that the town is legally required to fulfill.
To put it in perspective: 1 mill raises approximately $5,115,197 in Hamden. Reducing the mill rate to a number some have suggested—like 33 mills—would require cutting over $65 million from the budget. That would mean eliminating essential departments like police, fire, public works, and general government services—something that simply isn’t viable, legally or ethically. Even a 1-mill reduction would necessitate flat-funding the Board of Education and closing the Hamden Public Library system.
Despite these challenges, the final mill rate has not yet been determined. This is still an active process, and there is room for public input. A crucial part of community involvement is speaking up during this time. I want to say clearly: I deeply appreciate everyone who has shared their concerns—because they are concerns I share as well. I am not only your State Representative—I’m also a property owner and a business owner in Hamden, and I understand firsthand the impact that these decisions have on all of us.
It’s important to understand how we got here. For years before the current Mayor took office, Hamden was adding on new debt every year just to cover basic operations. Instead of budgeting for future costs, we were borrowing to stay afloat. This is a big part of why we find ourselves in such a financially precarious position today. That kind of short-term thinking is exactly what the current administration is trying to correct.
Notably, seven years ago, independent analyses highlighted that these financial challenges were inevitable due to Hamden's accumulating debt. A 2018 study by the Yankee Institute—a conservative think tank—pointed out that Hamden's pension liabilities and bonded debt per capita were among the highest in the state. The article noted that Hamden had to raise property taxes in 2016 and 2018 to manage growing costs, pushing the town's mill rate to 47.96, one of the highest in Connecticut. The study also indicated that the town's pension fund was only 10 percent funded in 2014, leading to increased annual required contributions that the town struggled to meet.
One key shift is the effort to rebuild the budget reserve fund, which acts as a safeguard when unexpected expenses arise or when revenue projections fall short. Today, Hamden’s reserve fund is over $20 million, a dramatic improvement over past years. This reserve gives the Town a much-needed buffer—so that if we accidentally underfund a department or face an unanticipated cost, we don’t need to immediately borrow more money or pile on additional debt. That’s what fiscal responsibility looks like, and it's a critical part of our long-term recovery.
Another issue impacting the conversation is the recent property revaluation, which increased Hamden’s grand list by 40%. This revaluation was conducted by independent, licensed assessors and is required by state law. Because the value of residential property has risen faster than commercial property (a trend seen across Connecticut), the tax burden has shifted more toward homeowners. Neighboring towns like North Haven and West Haven are facing similar challenges.
I also want to highlight an ongoing effort by the Mayor and Legislative Council to improve how town employees are compensated. A salary study for department heads was conducted, and rather than shelve it, the Mayor included a step increase for non-union employees—25% of the gap between their current salary and the recommended amount, plus 3%. I believe this is a fair and responsible way to begin addressing pay equity within town government.
Some have raised questions about unspent funds or accounting inconsistencies in certain departments. I want to clarify two key points on this:
- ARPA Funds: The Legislative Council approved ARPA allocations, but some projects were at risk of missing federal deadlines or didn’t meet federal guidelines. In response, the town reallocated ARPA funds to eligible municipal expenses, freeing up local dollars to create restricted funds aligned with Council priorities. This may make it appear that certain department funds—like salaries in public safety or public works—are unspent, but that’s a result of accounting logistics, not actual savings.
- Financial Reporting: The Town is currently producing all reports required by the Hamden Charter, including revenue/expense reports and overtime reports for major departments. Councilwoman Caldwell has requested an additional monthly financial report similar to New Haven’s, which runs nearly 100 pages. While informative, this type of report would require additional staffing in the finance department—and additional funding—to produce and maintain. At this time, it is not a requirement of our charter, and resources are already stretched thin.
If you’re wondering how the budget process works, here’s a quick overview:
- Town Departments submit requests to the Mayor
- The Mayor presents a proposed budget to the Legislative Council
- The Finance Commission holds reviews and accepts public comment
- The Legislative Council holds its own public budget deliberations
- The Council must approve a final budget by May 17
- The Mayor can sign or veto the budget, and the Council can override a veto with a two-thirds vote
- The new budget takes effect on July 1
Click here for the Mayor’s Proposed FY26 Budget presentation
I know this is a lot to digest—and I also know that budget conversations like this are never easy, but they’re important. Your voice, your questions, and your advocacy are making a real difference. I will continue to monitor the process closely, advocate for fiscal responsibility, and ensure that transparency remains a priority.
I remain committed to supporting smart, community-driven solutions for Hamden. As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions, comments or concerns at Josh.Elliott@cga.ct.gov or 860-240-8585.
