The Tax Reality Check –
Why Your Bill Will Likely Rise
By Peter C. Frank
Bloomfield, Connecticut, November 30, 2025 – Following the publication of Part 2 of this investigative series, a debate emerged in a private Facebook group about the town's property tax phase-in. Some suggested that, as assessments rise during the four-year phase-in, the mill rate will "naturally drop" to keep tax bills stable.
This is a comforting theory. Unfortunately, historical data and math strongly suggest it is a common misconception.
To clear the air, I have analyzed the past decade of budget data for Bloomfield and our peer communities. The numbers tell a clear story: Budgets do not stay the same.
The "Static Budget" Misconception:
The theory your tax bill will stay the same is founded on a single assumption: the Town Budget will remain "Revenue Neutral" (i.e., the town collects the exact same amount of money next year as it did this year, e.g., it stays the exactly same).
If the Grand List (the value of all property) goes up and the Budget stays flat then, yes, the Mill Rate will drop and your tax bill will stay the same.
But The Reality? Bloomfield’s budget has never remained the same.
A review of the Adopted Town Budgets from FY2012 to FY2026 reveals a consistent trend of annual spending increases. In this period, there has not been one single year where the town budget remained the same, or decreased, based on the adopted budget figures published by the Town of Bloomfield, CT:
Bars = Total Budget ($M) | Line = % Increase
WHAT THIS MEANS: The town’s spending is on a clearly upward trend. Over the last few years, year‑over‑year budget increases have been higher than in the previous decade. (Historical note: While the average annual growth for FY2012–FY2022 is roughly 2.5%, the average for FY2023–FY2026—Mayor Danielle Wong's administration—has risen to approximately 4.2%, indicating a faster pace of spending growth.)
In practical terms, the current administration has voted for budgets with increases closer to 4–5% in recent years, rather than holding growth near the earlier 2–3% pattern. For example, the Town Council authorized expanding the Town Manager’s budget by nearly 20%—over $200,000—to fund just one additional full‑time employee.
Inflation, contractual salary increases, debt service on new bonding (like the library project), and rising service costs mean the town needs more revenue every single year. As shown below, approximately 85 cents out of every dollar of general fund revenue comes from property taxes, and about 58% of the real estate tax base is residential. That combination exposes homeowners to most of the impact of budget growth.
The "Phase-In" Trap: A Mathematical Certainty
The Town Council authorized a 4-year phase-in for the 2024 revaluation to "soften the blow" (a sentiment expressed in the FY2026 Budget Book).
⚠️ Hidden Cost: Lost State Funding
Before we examine the mathematics, there's a critical detail residents need to understand: The phase-in actively reduces state grant revenue. According to the
State Office of Policy and Management (OPM),
phasing in a revaluation delays the growth of the Grand List used in the state's grant calculations (OPM explicitly notes that phase‑ins "will affect the ECS formula" and PILOT calculations.). This means Bloomfield might receive a smaller percentage of available state grant funds than if it had fully implemented the revaluation instead of phasing it in.
OPM estimates the phase-ins can delay ECS/PILOT funding by 5–10% over four years (OPM PDF), costing Bloomfield ~$350K–$700K in lost funding.
Here is how that works against you in a rising budget environment.
The Scenario:
- Your Assessment: Due to the phase-in, your taxable property value is guaranteed to increase by 25% of the revaluation difference every year for four years. Instead of taking the band-aid off all at once, the council decided to peel it off slowly.
- The Budget: As shown above, the town budget increases every year (historically by roughly 3–5% or more, on average, over the last 15 years).
- The Trap: This is the double-whammy. On the expense side, the town needs more money to cover inflation and salaries. On the revenue side, the phase-in decision actively reduces state grant payouts (like PILOT) because the state calculates reimbursements based on the artificially lowered phase-in value, not the full real value.
The Consequence: With expenses rising and state aid voluntarily suppressed, the town cannot lower the mill rate enough to offset your rising assessment. The math just doesn't work.
The Result:
- Year 1: Your assessment goes up (25%). The town receives less state aid than it would have under a full revaluation, creating a revenue hole. Your tax bill rises to fill that hole and cover the new budget.
- Year 2: Your assessment goes up again (to 50%). The budget goes up again. State aid remains suppressed. Your tax bill rises significantly (this is what's coming for FY2027).
- Year 3 & 4: Repeats of Years 1 & 2.
Instead of one big tax hike, you get four consecutive years of tax hikes. Instead of saving money, you are just paying the increase on an installment plan while also paying for the additional expenses of the new budgets. (Note: While a massive one-time increase is painful, it could trigger eligibility for some of the hardship relief programs outlined below.)
The Economic Development Defense
Some officials may point to potential Grand List growth from new development (new businesses, housing) as a revenue source that could offset tax increases. For instance, at the November 10, 2025 Town Council meeting, when asked by resident Sherry Levine what was in place to help seniors afraid of losing their homes, Mayor Harrington responded by citing "more affordable housing" and "economic development" as the solutions. (Source: Bloomfield's Crisis of Governance Part 1).
However, S&P's January 2025 report notes Bloomfield's economy is 'stable' but explicitly does not forecast rapid growth, and the Mayor did not identify any specific, near‑term projects or revenue estimates when he cited “more affordable housing” and “economic development” as the solution. Furthermore, major development projects typically take 3-5 years to be built, occupied, and added to the Grand List; that puts any meaningful tax revenue well beyond the FY2027 timeframe of this analysis. Until substantial new development is completed and assessed, existing property owners will continue bearing the full burden of budget increases.
Peer Comparison: We Are Not Alone
Is this just a Bloomfield problem? To verify, I analyzed the budget trends of our neighbors. The data confirm, no one is operating with a static budget.
The "State Aid" Hope: Why Help Isn't Coming
Some residents hope that increased state funding will magically reduce our property tax burden. Historically, this is a dangerous bet. State aid to Bloomfield has stayed the same, relatively speaking, for years. Even if that were to change and a the state were to give Bloomfield an unlikely generous 10% increase in aid (approx. $700k), it would not be enough to cover even one year of typical budget increases.
The Real Danger: The "Penalty Box"
Far from increasing aid, the state is more likely to withhold it.
- Legal Risk: Under Connecticut regulations (Sec. 4-236-28), the state may restrict or condition financial assistance and disallow charging audit costs to state programs when audits required under the State Single Audit Act are not filed on time. Recent State OPM delinquency tables show Bloomfield’s audits have been late in multiple consecutive years, and its FY2024 audit remains outstanding.
At a special meeting of the Town Council on Monday, November 17, 2025 (noticed on Friday, November 14), Bloomfield’s Director of Finance stated on the record that the FY2024 audit is not expected to be completed until “the end of June 2026,” and that only after that will staff begin work on the FY2025 audit, which they hope to finish by December 2026. In practical terms, that timetable means the town expects to be roughly two and a half years late on the FY2024 audit and will already be well into the next fiscal year before the FY2025 audit is even started. Taken together with the State OPM delinquency lists, this shows Bloomfield is on track for a prolonged pattern of late audits and is openly flirting with the very consequences described in these regulations. - The "MARB" Trap: When towns like West Haven and Hartford lost control of their finances, the state stepped in via the Municipal Accountability Review Board (MARB). While MARB provided some stabilizing funds, it came with a very heavy price tag: the loss of local control. In West Haven, for instance, state overseers pushed for significant tax increases to balance the books. State intervention is not a "bailout"—it is a form of fiscal receivership which, while not a formal bankruptcy, functions like one in many practical respects for local taxpayers and officials.
The Vulnerability: 85% Reliance on You
S&P Global’s January 2025 report identified a critical structural weakness in Bloomfield’s finances:
"...backed by a reliance on property tax revenue (85% of general fund revenue)..."
(Note: Analysis of the FY2025 Adopted Budget indicates that, when accounting for stagnant non-tax revenues, the reliance on the tax levy for new spending effectively hit 87.26%).
This means Bloomfield has very limited ways to pay its bills other than by raising property taxes. It doesn't have the diversified revenue sources (investments, state grants, borrowing, charges on developers, public-private partnerships, or user fees) to soften the blow of unexpected expenses that other municipalities rely on.
- For every $1.00 of new general fund revenue (to cover legal overruns, OPEB costs, salaries, and other expenses), approximately $0.85 comes directly from property owners.
- According to the town’s 2024 Grand List, residential owners make up the largest share of the real estate valuation (approximately 58% residential vs. 42% commercial/other), meaning homeowners bear the largest share (nearly 50%) of every budget increase (58% of 85% equals 49.3%, and when you add in personal property taxes (from cars) it exceeds 50%).
Solutions: Help Is Available
We cannot simply discuss the problem; we must look for solutions. If you are struggling with these rising costs, there are programs designed to help. One of the programs below might be just what you need. (If you know of a program that should be included on this list, please let me know.)
1. Tax Relief for Elderly, Disabled, and Veterans
Contact the Town Assessor: 860-769-3530 / assessor@bloomfieldct.gov. File for every exemption you qualify for immediately. Note: The application period for many of these programs is typically February 15 to May 15.
- Elderly/Disabled Homeowners Program (Circuit Breaker): Provides a credit on your property tax bill for qualified homeowners aged 65+ or those who are totally disabled. Income limits apply (approximately $45k for single homeowners or $55k married couples) [Details].
- Veterans Exemptions: Additional exemptions are available for veterans, with increased amounts for veterans with disabilities or lower incomes.
- Legally Blind or Totally Disabled Exemption: There is currently a $3,000 property tax exemption available for residents who meet the statutory definition of blindness or a $1,000 exemption for residents who are totally disabled. This is separate from the Circuit Breaker exemption, above.
2. Heroes Among Us: First Responder Relief
If you volunteer to keep Bloomfield safe, the town offers a "thank you" in the form of tax relief.
- Volunteer Firefighter & Ambulance Abatement:
Active volunteers with the Bloomfield Center Fire Department, Blue Hills Fire Department, or Bloomfield Volunteer Ambulance may be eligible for a property tax abatement (reduction) of up to $1,000 off their tax bill.
- How to Apply: Certification is usually handled through your department Chief or Commander, who submits the list of eligible volunteers to the Town by June 1st. Contact your department leadership to ensure you are on the list. [Source: CGS § 12-81w]
3. Action Steps
The Bloomfield Social & Youth Services department administers the "Rent & Mortgage Assistance Program" (MAP) and can connect residents with the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) to free up budget for taxes [Resource Link].
4. Help for Hardship (Income-Based Programs)
If you are finding it impossible to make ends meet, there are specific laws designed to act as a safety net. These aren't just "programs"; they are legal rights provided by the state for those in severe financial distress.
- Abatement (Tax Forgiveness) for the Poor: Think of this as a "clean slate." If a resident is truly poor and unable to pay, town leaders (like the Mayor or Town Councilors) have the legal power to "abate"—which is a fancy word for "forgive" or "wipe away"—the taxes or interest owed. This can apply to your home or your personal property (like your car). It requires approval, but the law exists to stop people from losing everything just because they are poor. [Source: CGS § 12-124]
- Deferral (The "Pay It Later" Option):
If your property tax bill is eating up too much of your paycheck—specifically, if it exceeds 8% of your total income for the year—the town can vote to let you "defer" the tax, or pay it later.
- How it works: You don't have to pay the tax right now. Instead, the town puts a lien on your property (like a bookmark). The taxes (plus interest) only have to be paid back when the homeowner passes away or the house is sold. It allows you to stay in your home now without the immediate burden. [Source: CGS § 12-124a]
5. The "Green Energy" Bonus (Renewable Exemptions)
Did you know that "going green" is supposed to be tax-free? The state wants to encourage renewable energy, so they made sure you don't get punished with higher taxes just because you installed it.
- Solar & Wind Exemption:
If you install a renewable energy system (like solar panels or wind power) for your home or farm, the town cannot raise your assessment because of it. Even though those solar panels make your house more valuable, that extra value is exempt from property taxes. This applies even if you are leasing the panels or if you make a little extra money selling power back to the grid (net metering).
- The Rule: As long as the system is meant for your private use (not a commercial power plant), it's tax-exempt. [Source: CGS § 12-81(57)]
- EV Charging Stations: Thinking of getting an electric car? The charging station you install at your home is also 100% exempt from property taxes. The town cannot tax you on that equipment. [Source: CGS § 12-81(80)]
6. The "Car Tax" Rebate (Income Tax Credit)
There is a way to get some of the money you pay to the state for your property taxes (real or personal) on your state tax return.
- The $300 Credit:
Connecticut allows residents to claim a credit of up to $300 off their State Income Tax bill for property taxes they paid.
- What counts: This isn't just for houses. It applies to the taxes you paid on your primary residence OR your motor vehicle (car tax).
- Why it matters: Since car taxes in Bloomfield have risen sharply, many residents easily pay more than $300. Make sure you claim this credit on your CT-1040 tax return to get that money back. [Source: CGS § 12-704c]
7. Verify Your Assessment
Residents who believe their revaluation contains factual errors (wrong square footage, incorrect number of rooms, etc.) have the right to request a correction through the Assessor's office. This is different from disagreeing with the market value—it's about ensuring the factual data used are accurate.
Note: While you have the right to appeal, residents are strongly urged to consult with a qualified legal professional before pursuing a formal appeal to the Board of Assessment Appeals.
8. The Missing Tool: A Call to Action for Seniors (70+)
At the November 10, 2025, Town Council meeting, resident Sherry Levine asked Mayor Harrington, "What do you have in place to help these seniors... that are afraid of losing their homes?" The Mayor's answer focused on future economic development and affordable housing—solutions that take years, if not longer.
What he should have told her: State law already gives the town the power to help, right now (or at the very least, as this reporter opines, a response with a statement like, "I don't know, but we'll look into it and get back to you" would have been appropriate, but I digress...back to the facts):
CGS § 12-170v allows municipalities to adopt an ordinance to FREEZE the property taxes of seniors aged 70 and older. This ensures that, as their assessments rise, their tax bills do not. Many other Connecticut towns have adopted this. Bloomfield has not.
The Caveats: (a) This provision also allows municipalities to optionally "establish a lien on such property in the amount of the total tax relief granted, plus interest." When asking the town to establish the ordinance, it is imperative to demand a "70+ Lien-Free Tax Freeze." (b) Once enacted, seniors must renew their registrations under this program every two years or risk losing their protected status.
Call to Action: To Ms. Levine, and every senior aged 70+ in Bloomfield: Ask your Council why they haven't adopted a 70+ Lien-Free Tax Freeze ordinance. Ask them to draft it immediately. Show up en masse at the next council meeting. If they truly want to help seniors stay in their homes, the legal tool is sitting right there, waiting for them to pick it up.
Conclusion: What to Expect in FY2027
Based on this historical data, residents should brace themselves.
- Budgets will rise: If past patterns continue to hold true, inflation and debt service are likely to drive the FY2027 budget higher.
- Assessments will rise: You will hit the next tier of the phase-in.
- Taxes will rise: Without a significant and sustained change in spending policy, your tax bill is very likely to increase.
Prediction: Looking back over the last 15 years, Bloomfield’s adopted budgets have increased by roughly 3.5% per year on average, with the most recent four years trending higher. When you add in new debt service coming online and the town’s heavy reliance on property taxes, it is reasonable to project that the FY2027 budget will likely require a tax levy increase in the range of approximately 3.5% to 4.5%, assuming no major structural changes in revenue or spending.
A Note on Predictions: This analysis is based on 15 years of historical data and current structural budget pressures. Could the town break this pattern? Yes—through significant structural reforms, major new revenue sources, or dramatic spending restraint. But betting against a pattern that has held for 15 consecutive years would require evidence of fundamental change. Until residents see that change, they should plan for continued tax increases.
What's more, the town's current administration has shown a reluctance to rein in spending, with spending increases closer to 5% than 3.5% (accounting for rounding up and down to the nearest half number as reflected in recent budgets closer to 4.5–5% growth than the long‑term 3.5% average.).
The idea of a "static budget" is a misconception. The rising tax bill is the harsh—yet foreseeable—reality.
Look for Part 3 of my Investigative series. I'll be taking a deeper look inside the town's budgetary practices including how that phantom ~$21 million disappeared, the flags the town's auditors raised in the audited FY23 budget, and accusations by the town council against me—coming soon!
Methods & Sources: This investigative commentary relies on public documents, including Town of Bloomfield adopted budgets (FY2012–FY2026), the 2024 Grand List, CT OPM Municipal Fiscal Indicators, the State of Connecticut Office of Policy and Management’s revaluation guidance, S&P Global Ratings’ January 2025 report on Bloomfield, and publicly available information on state and local tax relief programs. All analysis and conclusions are my own, based on these records.
Note: This investigative commentary relies on public documents and recorded statements. All analysis falls under the protection of Connecticut's anti-SLAPP statutes (C.G.S. § 52-196a) regarding free speech in connection with a matter of public interest.
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