Brentwood budget committee approves operating budgets, adopts 4% revenue estimate for 2026 tax cap

BRENTWOOD TOWN — The Brentwood Town Budget Committee on Jan. 7 approved multiple operating budgets for 2026 and voted to use a 4% revenue-growth estimate when calculating next year’s tax-cap, producing a recommended maximum appropriation of $7,516,583 to present to the Select Board.

The committee approved the Select Board’s proposed Information Systems budget of $90,049 after a discussion about reallocating support charges between hardware and software and a $2,290 server hardware purchase. Moderator Speaker 4 read the Select Board’s figure: “The proposed budget from the Select Board for Information Systems for 2026 is $90,049.” The motion to adopt the information-systems budget carried unanimously on a motion and second.

Members then approved the insurance and benefits budget at $520,654. Select-board and subcommittee work produced plan-design changes the committee said reduced overall cost; Speakers explained the town moved to a three-plan contribution structure (the committee described it as a 100/80/80 method) and noted the change produced fewer enrollments in the previously higher-cost plan and a higher deductible for many employees. The committee opened discussion about…