Jackson workshop frames new budget philosophy and outlines plan tied to a possible 2028 sales-tax measure

The Jackson Town Manager presented a new strategic budget philosophy at a March 18 special workshop, urging the council to adopt a nonbinding reserve range of 25% to 45% of the general fund and to use an annual target inside that range to guide decisions. "In the next 2 to 4 years, we would be dropping below our 25% reserve target," the Town Manager said, framing the exercise as necessary to avoid a structural deficit.

Why it matters: Staff told the council that recurring expenses have outpaced recurring revenues for several years and that without policy changes the town’s reserves could fall below the proposed 25% floor around 2029–2030. To avoid that outcome, staff recommended limiting new recurring expenses, keeping cost-of-living and merit increases where possible, and adding full-time positions only sparingly.

At the heart of the workshop was a discussion of how the town would act in two scenarios: if a proposed "general penny" sales-tax measure passes in the November 2028 election, and if it does not. The manager described the likely story to tell voters if…