Board adopts multiple fund budgets and a $257.98 million general‑fund estimate; officials await state aid figures

The Board of Finance approved a series of fund budget estimates for fiscal year 2026–27 and adopted a general‑fund estimate to be advertised, while reserving the right to amend if and when state aid figures are finalized.

Board members moved and approved a sequence of fund budget items, including the Bristol Water Department budget ($12,616,109), the solid waste disposal fund ($1,980,575 approximately), the transfer station fund ($949,485), the Road Improvement Fund ($6,360,575), the Community Development Block Grant ($964,370), Pine Lake Adventure Park ($38,760), Arts and Culture ($313,800), the internal service fund (health benefits and workers' compensation components totaling approximately $56.6 million), the school lunch program ($5,560,250), the police private duty fund ($2,016,770) and a capital budget totaling $35,950,750. Each fund estimate was moved and approved by voice vote and will be forwarded to the joint meeting of the City Council and Board of Finance as required.

On the general fund, the board adopted a budget estimate of $257,980,635 and agreed to advertise the budget. The chair and other members emphasized uncertainty about pending state allocations for education; the board has been using a conservative $2 million estimate in planning but discussed possible amounts up to $5 million. "We were in agreement with the $11,764,070" board‑of‑education allocation as a starting point, the chair said, while another member urged caution and said the city has frozen positions and cut costs where possible.

The board scheduled a special session for May 12 to consider amendments once the legislature or state provides exact figures. Members noted that if adopted budgets at the joint meeting differ, the adopted budget could revert to the figures approved tonight, so the board plans to reconvene to reconcile changes before final adoption.