Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Rockport manager presents draft budget up 0.74% as board prepares multi-night review
Summary
Town Manager John presented a draft municipal budget that would raise the town portion 0.74% over FY26, outlined a schedule of three nights of department reviews with the budget committee and reminded residents that municipal taxes are roughly one-third of total property tax bills.
The Rockport Select Board on March 9 heard the town manager present a proposed municipal budget that would increase the town’s net spending by 0.74% compared with FY26. Town Manager John said the figure is the result after accounting for estimated revenues and expenditures and called the proposal a starting point for review.
"The draft budget is up 0.74% over FY26," John said, noting the town’s 2.8% cost-of-living policy for employees and a 9% increase in the town’s health insurance risk pool that factored into the draft. He added the municipal budget represents about one‑third of a property taxpayer’s overall tax bill, with county and school portions subject to separate increases.
The board and the nine-member budget committee will hold three nights of department-by-department review over the next two to three weeks, followed by a public hearing once the groups agree on the number to present to voters. John and other board members emphasized the town’s goal of holding down increases while preserving services.
The manager also reminded residents that the second property tax payment is due April 15 and encouraged participation in the budget workshops. The board did not take final action on the budget at the meeting; the sessions with the budget committee will continue and the public hearing will occur after those reviews.
