Sharon adopts 2020-21 budget

SHARON — In the absence of the traditional town meeting because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Board of Selectmen acted on behalf of voters to adopt the 2020-21 town budget and set the mill rate at their regular meeting on Tuesday, May 12.

Earlier in the month, the Board of Finance had reviewed and approved the proposed budget, clearing the way for the selectmen to take action. The mill rate suggested by the finance board and adopted by the selectmen will be 14.40, the same as this year’s mill rate.

Selectmen Dale Jones and Casey Flanagan praised the work of the Board of Finance. Jones thanked that board for having asked productive questions during the budget process and for supporting raises for Town Hall employees. He added that the finance board had found ways to raise funds without increasing taxes. 

Flanagan said, “I give the Board of Finance a lot of credit. It wasn’t easy.”

First Selectman Brent Colley agreed. “It was definitely a challenge.”

The mill rate determines property taxes in Connecticut towns. 

A mill represents $1 in tax for every $1,000 of assessed property value. A 15-mill tax rate would translate into a tax bill of $1,500 for the owner of a home assessed at $100,000. 

The grand list is the total assessed value of all taxable property in a town.

Properties are assessed at 70 percent of their total value.