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City staff outline FY2026 general fund outlook; no general-property-tax increase recommended
Summary
City staff presented an initial FY2026 general fund forecast to the Board of Finance that proposes no general municipal property tax increase but anticipates a 6–7% municipal tax rate rise driven by dedicated taxes and other charter-authorized levies; the board discussed service inventories and cost-control measures.
City of Burlington staff presented a first look at the fiscal year 2026 general fund budget on Jan. 13 and told the Board of Finance they are not recommending a general municipal property tax increase on the town-meeting ballot.
Chief administrative officer Kathy Chen and staff outlined assumptions behind the draft: departments were asked to level-fund their budgets (which represents a real reduction after required cost-of-living and step increases), the city expects health-insurance costs to rise (staff estimated roughly 11%), and police and fire — which together represent a large share of the general fund — face contract negotiations this year that add uncertainty to cost projections. Chen said staff estimate an overall departmental increase…
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