The town of Windsor has placed a 1% sales tax measure on November’s ballot to augment the general fund in the wake of budget shortfalls.
The Town Council voted in July to put Measure I on the ballot in the hopes of generating an estimated $5.7 million annually to tackle a projected $4 million to $5 million general fund shortfall beginning next fiscal year. The town’s general fund pays for everything from essential services to repairing potholes.
If approved by voters, residents will pay the new 10.25% sales tax beginning in April 2027.
“For over 33 years, the Windsor community has prided itself on having safe neighborhoods, well-maintained streets, beautiful parks and gathering places that bring people together,” reads the town’s webpage about Measure I. “However, the cost of providing these essential services like public safety, infrastructure maintenance and day-to-day operations has been increasing faster than the Town’s revenues.”
The 2025-27 budget had roughly $6 million in operational reductions such as three police positions, deferred infrastructure maintenance, and things like keeping some jobs vacant, the town said. But even after that belt tightening, the town still has had to spend $8 million to maintain existing service levels. That money came from town reserves, but “reserves are meant for one-time emergencies, not to balance budgets,” the town said.
Windsor has created a “plan B” budget that has been presented to the Town Council in case Measure I fails. It has reductions in services across all departments, including police, as well as plans for delayed road repairs, reduced park maintenance and fewer recreation programs.
