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Madison Budgets Pass with High Margins but Low Turnout

With a turnout of just 11 percent, Madison voters passed both the town’s operating and education budgets at referendum on May 17. Of more than 13,500 eligible voters in town, 1,500 came out to vote.

The unofficial numbers from Town Hall show the $31,1,04,668 town operations budget passed by an 898 to 606 margin, while the $60,255,417 Board of Education budget passed with a margin of 925 to 576.

First Selectwoman Peggy Lyons lauded her staff and colleagues for their efforts, but expressed disappointment at the low turnout.

“I am grateful to the for the strong support of both budgets by those who voted yesterday, and for all of the hard work completed by our town staff and our volunteer board members to bring both budgets to a successful referendum,” Lyons said. “At 11 percent, we had a higher turnout than last year, but still disappointing overall. We will continue to find ways to get the public more engaged. However, the annual budgeting process can be long and complicated. I appreciate the trust residents have placed in us to deliver responsible budgets that meet community needs and expectations.”

Superintendent of Schools Craig Cooke also praised the efforts of his staff in assisting with the passage.

“We are pleased to receive the support of the community on the school budget. Receiving this approval allows us to finalize hiring and contracts for next year that are important to our operations. Likewise, the budget process our school district starts for the following year in late September. This vote confirms the hard work on many people and ultimately benefits Madison students,” said Cooke.

The figures below are what the voters of Madison passed on May 17.

2022-’23 Approved Town Budget: $31,104,668

2021-’22 Town Budget: $29,132,830

Dollar Increase: $1,971,838

Percentage Increase: 6.77

2022-’23 Approved Education Budget: $60,255,417

2021-’22 Education Budget: $59,272,037

Dollar Increase: $983,380

Percentage Increase: 1.66

2022-’23 Approved Overall Budget: $91,360,085

2021-’22 Overall Budget: $88,404,867

Dollar Increase: $2,955,218

Percentage Increase: 3.34