Town manager outlines preliminary 2026 budget: general fund up 8.3% driven by wages, new fire‑department ambulance staffing and higher contract estimates

Town Manager Jim presented preliminary budget guidance to the Wolfeborough Budget Committee on July 21, 2025, saying the general fund faces an estimated 8.3% increase for 2026, or roughly $1.58 million, driven primarily by wage and personnel costs and an anticipated rise in ambulance contract costs.

Why it matters: The committee will begin formal review this fall. The projected increases drive the town’s planning for warrant articles, staffing and service contracts and affect how the default budget will be framed if voters do not approve warrant articles.

Jim summarized major drivers during the meeting: “Right now, the general fund alone, we’re looking at an 8.3% increase, which is a total of $1,584,000,” he said. He attributed much of the increase to two categories: wages/benefits and the fire/EMS changes the town approved last year. Jim told the committee the 100‑series (wages) increase is estimated at about $671,811 (roughly 10.2%), and the 200‑series…