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Council advances 2026 operating budget and votes default budget; manager says proposed increase would add about 25' on municipal portion
Summary
Town manager presented the proposed 2026 operating budget and detailed drivers of a municipal increase; councilors recommended the article and also voted the town's default budget for the warrant, noting a roughly 7-cent difference between proposed and default tax-rate scenarios.
Town Manager Paul walked the council through the proposed 2026 operating budget on Feb. 12 and explained the mechanics of appropriations, revenues and the tax-rate formula. The proposed operating budget includes general fund appropriations of roughly $32.8 million, capital reserve deposits and line-item adjustments aimed at covering contract obligations and essential services.
Paul said the municipal portion controlled by the seven councilors accounts for about 20% of the overall tax rate; the proposal as presented would translate to an estimated municipal tax-rate increase of about 25' cents (a 6.46% change in the municipal portion), with various other warrant items and capital reserve deposits potentially increasing that figure if approved by voters. He reviewed specific drivers including union wage and benefit increases, vehicle and capital equipment needs, and positions such as a full-time EMS coordinator.
Councilors discussed the tradeoffs of the proposed budget versus a default budget. Staff presented a default budget calculation of $41,922,892; the proposed budget would result in a tax-rate difference of roughly negative 7' cents when appropriations and revenues are compared, but councilors noted the final tax impact depends on which warrant articles and contracts voters approve. The council approved moving the proposed operating budget and related capital/reserve articles to the deliberative session and separately voted to send the default budget to the warrant so voters can decide if they prefer the default or the proposed operating plan.
Key votes: the council moved the operating budget articles and the default budget (motion to place the default budget on the warrant passed 7-0). Staff and council emphasized that some cost items, such as future construction for a safety complex, would require additional voter approval and that the town's capital-reserve strategy reduces the need for bonding in some cases.
Next step: the articles will be debated at the deliberative session and ultimately decided by voters on annual voting day.
