Councilor Brian Valerino (right background) makes a point during the June 2 city council discussion

Councilor Brian Valerino (right background) makes a point during the June 2 city council discussion on the budget. (LISA D. CONNELL PHOTO)

BERLIN — With the fiscal year 2026 budget nearing final approval and the decision coming down to the wire as to whether to go with a budget that adds 57 cents per thousand-dollar valuation to the tax rate or cut $440,000 from the city and school side to avoid a tax impact, councilors may feel they are between a rock and a hard place. 

The current tax rate is $30.89 per $1,000 valuation. To keep it there means cutting $440,000 from the proposed fiscal year budget — $220,000 from the city side and $220,000 from the school side, City Manager Phillip L. Warren Jr. said during the council’s Monday night work session.

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