City presents FY26 general fund budget with 4% increase; police and dispatch driving levy rise
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Summary
City staff proposed a $14,377,912 FY26 general fund budget, a roughly 4% increase driven primarily by a $710,000 rise in police and dispatch expenditures. The property tax levy would be about $5,687,096, an 8.9% increase over FY25; no formal adoption vote was recorded at the meeting.
Sarah, a city staff member, presented the highlights of the proposed fiscal year 2026 general fund budget, saying the total proposed general fund budget is $14,377,912 — about a 4% increase from FY25, or roughly $560,000.
“The number one priority in this budget … is public safety,” Sarah said, noting that police and dispatch expenditures are increased by $710,000, a change larger than the overall budget increase because several other cost centers were reduced.
Sarah said the property tax levy in the proposal is $5,687,096, an increase of about 8.9% from FY25 (about $466,000). She said the average assessed residential property value in the city is $200,000 and that for a home with that assessment the proposal would mean roughly a $188–$190 increase for the year (about $47 per quarter), as presented to the meeting.
To offset costs, staff eliminated two budgeted positions: the previously proposed director of economic vitality (not filled) and a recent vacancy in the fire department; duties were reshuffled rather than creating new positions. Sarah said staff also delayed some capital purchases and proposed one new debt item in FY26: a lease‑purchase of one police cruiser. The budget also includes $20,000 to pay down outstanding debt on the Weldon Building.
On the fire truck previously authorized by voters, Sarah said the debt issuance of $835,000 was approved in FY23 and the truck is expected to be delivered in April; the related debt service was included in the budget. She also said the city plans to apply to the Vermont Municipal Bond Bank for the fire truck financing to obtain favorable rates.
Recreation was highlighted: recreation programs reported $1,400,000 in revenue in 2024 and staff budget conservatively for $1,560,000 in FY26. Sarah said recreation’s total budgeted costs are $1,780,000 and the program relies on the tax levy for about $200,000.
Public works retains a $300,000 annual paving allocation and a $12,000 capital request for a roller. Parking operations reflected reduced staffing and the recent move to ParkMobile and online permitting; staff project reliance on the tax rate for parking at about $38,000 in FY26, down from $108,000 in FY25 and closer to a four‑year average of $81,000.
Sarah said the Restorative Justice Center is mostly grant funded and grants are expected to exceed $1,150,000 in FY26.
Council members and attendees asked questions about timing, the fire truck delivery, the street‑crimes unit and budget tradeoffs. Eric and Marie expressed support for the overall public safety focus: Eric called the budget “thoughtfully created” and said the city needs to watch inflation and “support our police officers.” Marie said the budget “has been pretty well addressed” and supported the public safety emphasis.
The proposed budget was presented and discussed at the meeting; no formal adoption vote was recorded during this session.
Ending: Staff asked the public for support where voter approval is required; the meeting moved on to other business and eventually adjourned. Final adoption and any voter referenda would follow the city’s regular budget approval process and timelines.
