Jackson council advances FY26 budget discussion, frames strategic budgeting process

The Jackson Town Council on May 14 continued a multi-meeting review of the town's fiscal year 2026 budget, focusing on a set of aspirational expenditures and on a new strategic budgeting process staff plans to run this summer.

The council heard that staff will present a change log of items the council may choose to add to FY26 and that a broader strategic budgeting effort will begin after adoption, intended to align a five-year expenditure view with projected revenues. "We'll call it June and July," Town Manager Tyler said, describing staff's plan to survey department needs and present options to the council.

The council debated how aggressively to pursue new revenue tools. Several members said they are reluctant to raise property taxes in FY26 but are open to discussing lodging or sales taxes later. Councilman Schechter said he was "content without going to any major changes" in FY26 and urged a strategic review before asking voters for new taxes. Councilwoman Beeman said she supports strategic planning first and is not comfortable with tax increases this year; she noted concern about the county's fiscal pressure.

The budget discussion threaded two related strands: (1) which aspirational items to place on the change log for potential inclusion in FY26 and (2) an expanded strategic-budgeting review staff will lead to map multi-year needs and revenues. "I would really like to have gone through with all the directors and kind of look at what they see as expenditures or needs over the next five years," Tyler said.

Councilmembers also emphasized the need to develop public-facing communications if the town chooses to pursue voter-approved revenue changes. One councilor warned that a poorly timed ballot question could harm future efforts; another argued the council should begin educating residents now.

Public comment at the meeting reflected those divisions. Resident Jessica Chambers urged the council to hire a municipal finance expert before pursuing tax changes; Joe Spiebel and other attendees urged the council to reduce or re-prioritize expenditures rather than raise taxes.

The council scheduled follow-up meetings: staff will return with detailed change-log numbers and with a timeline for the strategic-budgeting process; a joint session with Teton County is planned to coordinate shared items. The council agreed to continue the FY26 deliberations at its May 27 workshop and to meet with county officials on June 2 to discuss joint requests.

Looking ahead, the council signaled it wants a clearer multi-year plan before asking voters for new revenue. "I see this coming year particularly being marked by the hiring of your new deputy as being a real transitional year," Councilman Regan said, urging a methodical approach.