Special Meeting and Joint Public Hearing of the Finance and Claims Committee 09-29-2026

The City of Norwalk, Connecticut Finance and Claims Committee held a special meeting and joint public hearing on September 29, 2026, to open discussion of the upcoming city and Board of Education budget process. City CFO Jared Smith reported a projected FY2026 surplus of about $800,000, while noting the adopted budget had planned to use $8 million from fund balance. He also cited an estimated $1 million in annual savings from a city restructuring, a 4.1% increase in the FY2027 Board of Education budget, and ongoing pressure from employee health-care costs and recently settled union contracts. The school CFO identified a $3.3 million increase tied to the teachers’ high-deductible health plan; city and school officials said they would work together and engage unions on the issue. The school district also referenced $1.95 million in state grant funding and continuing special-education and staffing needs.

Capital-budget discussion covered school construction, paving, sidewalks, bridges, and other long-term infrastructure. Officials described charter changes extending the capital plan from five to ten years and establishing a sunset process for bond authorizations older than four years, with a process to retain active or continuing projects. Public comments supported walkability and ADA improvements and raised concerns about planning review, school construction costs, solar installations, and playing fields. No contracts were awarded, procurement votes were taken, or specific purchasing actions were approved at the meeting; the hearing was for public input as budget development proceeds.