Plymouth manager proposes $13.57 million budget; fund balance rose to $1.85 million

Town Manager Scott presented the Plymouth Select Board’s recommended fiscal 2025–26 operating budget on the first night of the town’s annual meeting, calling for $13,565,245 in spending and estimating an approximate 8¢ per $1,000 potential increase to the municipal portion of the tax rate.

Scott, town manager, said the recommended budget represents about a 6% increase in total appropriations compared with the prior year and includes a 4% across‑the‑board wage increase and modest health‑insurance growth. “If approved, the 2025–26 budget is $13,565,245, which is an approximate increase of 6% from the 2024–25 budget of $12,780,224,” he told attendees.

The manager emphasized the town’s fund balance improvement as a planning tool. The town began 2024 with a fund balance of $331,000 and the audited year‑end fund balance at the close of 2024 is $1,849,526, Scott said. He said the unassigned fund balance could be recommended by the select board this fall to offset some or all of the estimated tax increase when the final tax rate is set.

Why it matters: Plymouth’s budget discussion sets the spending framework that will appear on this year’s warrant and affect next year’s tax rate. The fund‑balance increase gives the select board options for limiting tax‑rate movement, but Scott said revenue estimates remain preliminary and that the board may choose to apply some unassigned fund balance when setting the tax rate.

Key budget drivers and priorities - Personnel: the recommended budget factors a 4% general wage increase and the restoration or retention of staff in areas of high demand. Scott said the package includes funding for one additional firefighter and other position restorations discussed with department heads. - Public safety and infrastructure: the budget continues support for public safety, planning and development, public works, library and recreation. A needs assessment for a future public safety complex is funded separately as a capital project and the manager said the town hopes to present options by the March 2026 meeting. - Capital planning and grants: Plymouth’s capital improvement program covers roads, sidewalks, equipment and buildings. Scott reported $534,742 in grants secured during fiscal 2024–25 for 10 projects and said staff worked with the budget committee and department heads on a two‑year capital plan to smooth large purchases.

Questions from residents focused on tax impact and specific line items. One attendee asked whether approving all warrant articles would necessarily raise taxes; a town official explained that the 0.8% estimate was just that — an estimate — and that the select board could use unassigned fund balance to reduce or eliminate the net tax impact.

The manager urged continued scrutiny of capital expenditures and said departments were asked to define measurable outcomes for proposed projects, a change meant to improve evaluation across multi‑year investments.

Ending: The recommended budget will be considered through the warrant process during the remainder of the meeting. The manager encouraged residents to review the budget documents posted at Town Hall and online and to participate in votes on the warrant articles scheduled for the remainder of the session.