Stamford Fiscal Committee Budget Deliberations Meeting - April 30, 2026

The 32nd Board of Representatives Fiscal Committee budget deliberations meeting for the 2026-2027 budget year was held on April 30, 2026, from 7:01 p.m. to 7:22 p.m. The committee reviewed two proposed cuts, discussed the Board of Education budget, and addressed the East Side Library funding issue. Co-Chair Eric Morrison and Co-Chair Andrew Zachary presided.

Consent Calendar

• Item 1 (Budget book page 341): Active Medical and Life Office of Benefits and Insurance – Proposed cut of $673,360, representing savings from the difference in estimates. Approved unanimously by voice vote (6-0).
• Item 2 (Operating budget page 181): Parks and Recreation contracted services – Proposed cut of $50,000 (from $161,000 to $111,000). This was carryover from a previous budget and not needed. Approved by voice vote (7-0).

Discussion Items

• Board of Education Budget: Representative Noel Lepine offered a detailed perspective on the Board of Ed budget, acknowledging the board's difficult task. He proposed guiding principles: protect direct student services, prioritize cuts to non-essential supplies and administrative overhead, and preserve nonprofit partnerships. He urged restoring MTSS staffing, Domus middle school family advocates, paraeducators, high school band funding, and the high school athletic director position. He suggested reviewing potential reductions in executive administration staffing (up to two associate superintendent roles), supplies (10% cut or $200,000), English learner programs (questioning a dramatic rise in supplies despite a reduction in students), the Welcome Center (potential partnership with Building One Community), and the Board of Ed finance office (40% growth in non-certified administrative costs and supplies). He expressed strong support for the district's success and his belief that responsible savings could be found.
• Future Cuts: On May 7, an additional cut to the Board of Education budget may be considered based on $2 million from the Board of Finance tied to an estimated $150 million from State and CS, now known to be $170 million. Also, a new state $100 million allocation to municipalities (estimated $1.2 million for Stamford) will be included in revenue and netted out in the mill rate.
• East Side Library Funding: Representative Virgil Delacruz withdrew his earlier proposal to cut funding for the East Side Library preliminary design (estimated at $250,000). He stated he did so with the understanding that the Board of Finance recommendation (no funds spent until legal issues resolved) would be memorialized, and he acknowledged an email from the administration committing to not spending until legal issues are resolved with the Attorney General. Co-Chair Morrison agreed, expressing support for passing the $250,000 to avoid risking a $3 million federal earmark that has been available for two years. Representative Gross asked for clarification and requested to be looped into the communication as one of the district representatives for where the library would go.

Key Outcomes

• Approved Cuts: Two cuts were approved unanimously: $673,360 to Active Medical and Life Office of Benefits and Insurance, and $50,000 to Parks and Recreation contracted services.
• Withdrawal of Motion: Representative Delacruz withdrew his motion to cut the East Side Library preliminary design funding, with the understanding that no funds will be spent until legal issues are resolved.
• Next Steps: Final vote on the budget is scheduled for May 7, 2026. Committee members were urged to alert co-chairs immediately of any last-minute urgent cuts to allow time for homework. The meeting adjourned at 7:22 p.m.