Budget committee and select board accept 4% revenue forecast; set FY2026 appropriation cap at $7.52 million

The Brentwood Budget Committee presented its recommended revenue estimate and tax-cap calculation for fiscal year 2026, and the Select Board accepted the committee's recommendation. Jim Hazard, chair of the Budget Committee, explained that using Department of Revenue Administration (DRA) tax-rate breakdowns and 2025 numbers produced a tax-cap base (net required local tax effort) that, after the statutory 4% limit, resulted in a maximum net tax effort and a town-appropriation cap.

Hazard recommended a 4% revenue-growth estimate for 2026 (a conservative estimate he and staff judged appropriate given recent trends), which translates to a revenue estimate of $2,256,030. With that growth assumption and the DRA calculations, the budget committee recommended a maximum town-appropriation figure of $7,516,583. Hazard said NHMA had suggested a lower 3.5% revenue estimate but that the local committee and town administrator preferred 4% based on local MS-434 data and recent year trends.

After brief questions on how the cap and ordering of warrant articles interact at town meeting, a select-board member moved to accept the revenue estimate and the appropriation cap; motions were seconded and both passed unanimously. The board noted that if warrant votes at town meeting cause the annual appropriations to exceed the cap, the legislative body (town meeting) would need to consider an override or use exemption language where appropriate.

The board asked staff to track warrant order and coordinate with the budget committee so potential tax-cap impacts are identified as warrant language is finalized.