Property Tax Changes in Westport: Who Pays More Now?

Westport recently adjusted its property tax system for the 2026-27 fiscal year. The town’s tax rate dropped from 18. 86 to 13. 2, but that doesn’t mean everyone will pay less. The big shift comes from a property revaluation that increased home values far more than commercial ones. Over five years, residential property values jumped nearly 60%, while commercial properties only rose about 17%. That means many homeowners will see bigger tax bills even though the rate went down. Some might wonder why this happened. The town didn’t spend extra money—it just redistributed who pays what. Commercial properties used to carry more of the tax load, but since their growth was slower, the town had to rely more on homeowners to keep revenue steady. Experts say this reflects national trends, with online shopping hurting brick-and-mortar businesses while housing demand stays strong.Big costs are coming too. Westport plans to borrow $80 million for projects like a new school, adding pressure to future budgets. The town is also paying off $9 million in old debt each year, making it harder to cut taxes later. Some leaders worry inflation and rising expenses could push rates up even more in the next few years. Not all the news is bad. The town has a healthy savings account—about 11. 45% of its spending—which helps keep its top credit rating. Officials say this protects homeowners from steep increases later. But not everyone is convinced. Some residents, especially retirees, are worried about how the changes will affect them long-term. The town gets money from other places too, like permits and fees, but some costs are still uncertain. Union contracts for firefighters and public workers haven’t been settled yet, which could mean higher bills down the road. Meanwhile, neighbors like Fairfield are seeing similar patterns, showing this isn’t just a Westport problem.