policy
Waterbury Raises Property Tax Rate to 42.5 Mills Starting October
The approved municipal budget raises the property tax rate by 1.8 mills, with Waterbury homeowners seeing adjusted quarterly payments begin in the fall billing cycle.
How we reported this
The Waterbury Board of Aldermen approved the fiscal year 2027 municipal budget on June 15, setting the property tax rate at 42.5 mills. This change affects all residential and commercial property owners within city limits, with the new rate applied to assessments determined by the October 1, 2025 grand list.
The budget totals $485 million and allocates $192 million to the Board of Education. City officials tied the rate adjustment to rising costs for public safety overtime and road maintenance contracts that begin in the new fiscal year on July 1. Local property owners will receive their first tax bills reflecting the increase during the October 2026 billing period.
Payment Schedule for Residents
Waterbury collects property taxes in four quarterly installments. Homeowners with a typical single-family home assessed at $180,000 will see an annual increase of $324 under the new rate. The October payment covers the period from July through September, while the January 2027 installment reflects the full annualized amount. Renters may experience indirect effects through landlord adjustments to lease renewals scheduled after September.
City documents show that 68 percent of the general fund revenue comes from property taxes, according to the adopted budget ordinance. The remaining portions include state aid for education and fees from permits and licenses. Policy analysts note that the phased quarterly structure means most residents will not encounter the full annual impact until their January 2027 payment.
Next Steps in Implementation
The tax collector's office will mail updated bills by September 15, 2026. Residents who qualify for the senior citizen property tax relief program can apply through December 31 to receive a credit on the January installment. The legislation states that any appeals of assessed values must be filed by August 31 with the Board of Assessment Appeals.
Waterbury finance officials project that collections will begin arriving in October and continue through the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027. The city plans to hold a public information session on July 22 at City Hall to explain payment options and online account setup for the new cycle.