Mayor Bobby Sanchez Proposes Budget With No Tax Increase; $1 Million Increase in Schools Funding

New Britain Mayor Bobby Sanchez (D) spoke to the City Council today, proposing a budget for the city with no tax increase, no cuts in services, overall spending flat and a $1 million increase in funding for schools.

Sanchez said his proposed budget has no mill rate increase and no increase in water and sewer fees, adding that this was not easy to achieve.

The new Mayor said that he inherited city finances with, “misuse of taxpayer resources,” and, “identified revenue that should have been collected but was not. We found practices that had gone unchecked for years, and financial decisions that weakened the city’s position.”

Mayor Sanchez is proposing a $1 million increase in school funding, with plans to increase that funding each year of his administration. As a state legislator, Sanchez has been widely praised for increasing school funding from the state. But, he said, “more funding must lead to better outcomes,.” Citing that New Britain is one of the lowest performing school districts in the state, he said he will work with the school board for improvements.

Sanchez said his budget, “also lays the groundwork for Classroom Plus, a new initiative that will partner with community organizations and local stakeholders to expand mentorship, student support and strategies to improve graduation rates.”

In addition the Mayor said that his budget pursues a, “One Stop Support Center to help residents experiencing homelessness, connecting individuals with housing, treatment and essential services in a structured and compassionate setting.”

Mayor Sanchez said that he balanced his budget without cuts to services or city staffing, achieving savings with work for greater efficiencies.

Sanchez said his budget prioritized investments in infrastructure, quality of life and neighborhood improvement. He cited infrastructure improvements including Safe Streets for All, Willow Street Park, Allen Street drainage, Arch Street streetscape, John Downey Drive, West Main Street connectivity and completion and the Beeline Trail and Myrtle Street revitalization project. He added that the budget invests $250,000 for sidewalk repairs and plans for 10,000 feet of new sidewalks.

Mayor Sanchez said that his proposed budget meets the city’s obligations while keeping the General Fund budget flat and eliminating “one time gimmicks that masked structural problems.” He also said that the city is now “beginning to confront long neglected liabilities.”

Saying that there is still much work to do, Mayor Sanchez said that, “this administration is committed to doing that work, not with slogans, but with results. Not with appearances, but with substance. Not with excuses, but with action.”

The budget is for the upcoming budget year, starting on July 1, 2026 and going to June 30, 2027.

The Council’s President Pro Tempore, Ald Francisco Santiago (D-5) said that the Council will hold a hearing on the budget on April 28th at 6:30 in City Hall, and will consider the budget in the Council’s committees.