The Alton Budget Committee on Nov. 20 approved several default and department budgets for 2026 and discussed staffing shortages and rising benefit costs that are pressuring the town’s finances.

Drew Carter moved to approve the 2026 fire department budget for $1,326,135; the motion was seconded and adopted by voice vote. The committee then approved the water department’s default budget of $599,653 after staff explained that the increase reflected a newly added employee and higher health‑insurance costs for family coverage. The committee concluded by approving the town’s default budget, recorded in committee minutes as $9,795,561.

Why it matters: presenters said most increases on the default are statutory or required (health, dental, workers’ compensation, FICA/Medicare and state retirement). Staff quantified specific drivers: a roughly $49,223 increase for the water department to meet obligations and a cited $66,005.49 rise in operating costs tied to mandated benefits on a larger operating base. Committee members repeatedly flagged a separate but related problem—personnel shortages—saying the town is operating with multiple vacancies that reduce service capacity.

“ We’re losing them to the next town over,” said Harold Shetliff (speaker 5), describing how employees leave for higher pay or opportunities elsewhere. Another attendee, identified in the record as Speaker 7, said of employee insurance contributions: “I just think it’s outrageous,” prompting board members to explain that the select board sets contribution levels and that the overall compensation package must be compared across municipalities.

Board and staff discussion also focused on the financial mechanics of warrant articles. Presenters said a string of approved warrant articles in the prior year increased the town’s tax impact and that per‑$1,000 cost calculations can be misleading to voters. Staff and members proposed a voter mailer to explain the difference between the operating budget and one‑time warrant articles and to show tax impacts more clearly.

To ease short‑term pressure on taxpayers if many warrant articles pass, staff recommended the board consider pausing contributions to some capital improvement program (CIP) projects for one year while preserving capital reserve funds. Staff noted capital reserves remain healthy—one reserve reportedly has more than $1 million, though apparatus like a fire engine can cost roughly $800,000.

The committee recorded motions and outcomes on the minutes: the fire budget, the water default and the town default were all approved by voice vote. The meeting closed after approving the minutes from Nov. 20, 2025, and setting the next meeting for Dec. 18; staff said a draft mailer for voter education should be ready for board review by mid‑next week.

What’s next: the board will consider whether to recommend pausing selected CIP items at an upcoming meeting and will review the voter‑education mailer before wider distribution. A public hearing was announced for Jan. 7, with backup dates Jan. 14 and Jan. 15.