Brentwood recreation committee scrutinizes 2026 budget, flags missing electric offsets and salary accounting

Brentwood Town Recreation Committee members spent the meeting focused on the committee's proposed 2026 recreation budget, identifying accounting errors, missing electric offset credits and a need for clearer backup before the budget goes to the select board and the town budget committee.

Committee members said the only change carried into the 2026 draft was a salary line added via a warrant article; staff said the $12,000 addition previously was taken from the unreserved fund balance and must be moved to the correct account. Town Administrator Julie (referred to in discussion as the new town administrator) was identified as the staff member who will make the fund swap.

Why it matters: committee members warned that the select board and the budget committee will expect a clear, line-by-line justification at upcoming presentations and that missing documentation — especially quarterly electric bills and solar/offset credits — could force the committee to postpone or revise its presentation.

Most of the conversation centered on seasonal staffing and how the added wages interact with payroll-related costs. Committee…