Why the FY2027 Budget Deserves a Second Look

By Rickford Kirton

Former Deputy Mayor, Town of Bloomfield

Op-Ed Disclaimer: The following is an opinion piece submitted by a trusted community member. The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official editorial position or investigative findings of the Bloomfield Community Dispatch.

Bloomfield residents have successfully petitioned the FY2027 budget to referendum, giving voters an opportunity to weigh in directly on one of the most important decisions facing our community: how public dollars are spent and whether the adopted budget reflects the priorities residents expect.

This referendum is not about politics.

It is about affordability, transparency, accountability, and whether the Town has struck the right balance between services, administration, and taxpayer impact.

The Town Council adopted a FY2027 budget totaling approximately $118.4 million, representing an increase of roughly $4.8 million (4.25%) over the prior year budget. Officials have emphasized the 3.07% mill rate increase, but many residents believe that figure alone does not tell the complete story because Bloomfield remains in Year 2 of the four-year revaluation phase-in.

Impacts Greater Than the Advertised 3.07%

For example, a property that experienced a 51% assessment increase could see an estimated overall impact approaching 7.44% when the revaluation adjustment is combined with the Council-approved budget increase.

Properties with 60% assessment growth could approach 9.11%, while assessments increasing 65% to 70% could experience impacts ranging from approximately 10% to nearly 11%.

This distinction matters because much of the public discussion has focused on the 3.07% figure, while many taxpayers may ultimately experience something significantly different depending on reassessment changes.

Budget decisions affect more than homeowners. Property taxes and operating costs can influence rents, commercial costs, housing affordability, and the broader local economy.

A Community-Wide Conversation

Many residents have also asked whether spending priorities deserve additional review and whether administrative growth has kept pace with affordability concerns facing taxpayers.

The adopted budget keeps Operations & Communications near $670,000, while Information Technology exceeds $1.4 million. Residents are not questioning the existence of these departments; they are asking whether spending levels reflect current affordability realities and whether resources are aligned with essential services and long-term priorities.

Rising Costs and Reserve Depletion

Another area drawing significant attention is the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) cost increase.

The FY2027 budget projects MDC costs at more than $4.23 million, representing an increase of approximately 15% from the prior year. Residents deserve a clear explanation regarding why Bloomfield is projected to experience an increase of this magnitude and how it compares with other municipalities within the Metropolitan District.

At the same time, the Town plans to utilize approximately $3.665 million from fund balance reserves to support the adopted budget. Reserve usage can be an appropriate financial tool, but taxpayers should reasonably ask whether continued reserve usage combined with rising taxes represents the best long-term path forward.

Residents understand that quality services, infrastructure, public safety, recreation, and long-term planning require investment.

A Question of Priorities and Balance

The question is whether this budget reflects the right priorities, the right level of administration, and the right balance between services, affordability, and taxpayer impact. These are legitimate policy questions that deserve public discussion.

The referendum effort itself also reflects significant public participation. The petition required approximately 1,136 signatures, representing 7.5% of Bloomfield’s registered voters. On May 18, a total of 1,226 signatures were submitted for review. The signatures are currently undergoing the required verification process.

Documentation of the referendum petition submission on May 18.

We did not petition this budget because we oppose investment in Bloomfield.

We petitioned it because we believe affordability matters.

We believe transparency matters.

We believe accountability matters.

The referendum now gives residents the opportunity to decide whether this budget reflects the right priorities, at the right cost, for the Bloomfield we want to build.