WDTC Series: Just the Facts - Education 2025
Amity and Woodbridge Budget Edition
It is budget season in Woodbridge, and as always, the WDTC is committed to ensuring you are prepared with the facts necessary for an informed decision.
Woodbridge Town Budget
The Preliminary Budget Public Hearing is scheduled for Thursday, April 24, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. in the Center School Gym. This is an opportunity to ask any questions you may have regarding the budget. The budget is scheduled to be finalized at the Annual Town Meeting on May 19, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. in the Center School Gym.
Important facts to consider:
Woodbridge is almost entirely dependent on residential property to generate tax revenue. In the recent revaluation, residential real estate comprised 93.31% of the total grand list.
Our taxes pay for services including: education, plowing and paving of streets, police and fire protection, a town paramedic, library services, recreation programs, and more.
Education comprises 63% of our tax bill, followed by public safety and employee benefits each at 9%, general government and public works each at 5%, community services at 4%, capital at 3%, and debt service at 2%.
The proposed budget reflects an overall increase of 4.95%.
Challenges in the upcoming budget include contractual obligations, increased utility costs, cybersecurity costs, and an increased inflation rate.
Revaluation
Revaluation is a mass-appraisal process of updating property values to ensure a fair distribution of property taxes. Revaluation is a state-mandated process that must be completed every five years in the State of Connecticut. Conn.Gen.Sec. 12-62
The assessed value of your property is 70% of the estimated fair market value.
Revaluations conducted in 2009, 2014, and 2019 showed reduced property values.
In fiscal year 2025, the average residential assessment was $286,920, and in 2026, the average residential assessment increased to $445,180.
The current mill rate is 46.43, and the proposed mill rate for personal property and real estate reflects a reduction to 32.68.
Amity Budget
The Amity Regional School District Budget Hearing took place on April 7, 2025. The Amity Referendum is scheduled for Tuesday, May 6, 2025 from 6 am- 8 pm at the Center School Gym.
Some important facts to consider:
Budget Increase for 2026
The state average budget increase is 5.62% and the DRG B (District Reference Group B/comparable districts) average increase is 5.14%.
The Amity budget increase is 2.93%, from $56.46 million to $58.11 million.
Amity’s budget increase is well below average, and is among the lowest 10% statewide (104 out of 116), and second lowest among DRGB districts.
Allocation of the budget among Bethany, Orange, and Woodbridge:
By state statute, each town’s share of the district’s budget is proportionate to its share of students at Amity. Conn. Gen. Sec. 10-51(b)
Bethany enrollment grew by 2 students, Orange enrollment decreased by 9 students, and Woodbridge enrollment grew by 44 students (719 → 763)
Each town’s allocation (and % increase) for the 2026 budget is:
Bethany: $9.16 M (+1.64 %)
Orange: $27.53 M (+0.20 %)
Woodbridge: $20.14 M (+7.25 %)
Woodbridge’s share of total students increased from 33.98% to 35.49%, resulting in an increased allocation which coincides with Woodbridge’s added number of students.
In previous years, when Woodbridge has seen a decline in total students, our allocation has decreased; overall the system evens out over time.
Support our Amity Board of Education and
Vote YES on May 6th!
