Acton manager recommends $40.94 million FY2026 municipal budget, cites override and capital needs

Town Manager John Manduray presented the Town of Acton’s recommended fiscal year 2026 municipal operating budget and capital plan on the Select Board’s agenda, proposing a $40,940,000 operating budget — a 4.79% increase from the prior year and a net requested increase of about 4.56% when capital offsets are included.

Manduray said the budget reflects last year’s voter-approved override and that the town withheld about $1.2–$1.3 million of the override levy in year one as a policy choice. "This is my 7th budget presentation," Manduray told the board, noting the presentation is the culmination of a months-long process that started in August and included revenue updates, level-services proposals and a capital plan.

The recommended budget relies heavily on property tax revenue (nearly 90% of operating revenue, the manager said) and preserves a reserve policy the town has been using (roughly 3–5% of the operating budget). Major operating and capital items in the recommendation include:

- Public safety: proposal to add an…