Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Freeport council adopts FY2027 operating and capital budgets, OKs $1.13M in TIF appropriations
Summary
At its meeting the council approved the town's FY2027 operating and capital budgets, accepted categories of state funds for FY27, authorized $478,095 for Delia B. Powers Memorial Winslow Park and $34,200 for Harb Cottage, and approved $1,133,000 in TIF appropriations. All actions passed by voice vote.
The Freeport Town Council unanimously approved its fiscal year 2027 operating and capital budgets and related appropriations at a council meeting, concluding a months-long budget process.
Jessica, a town staff member who presented the items, told the council she had "not much to add" and described the votes as formal adoption of proposals developed over many budget meetings. The council first approved Item 77-26 to accept categories of state funds for FY2027, including municipal revenue sharing, local road assistance, public library state aid, civil emergency funds (including federal matching reimbursement), snowmobile registration funds, and various property tax reimbursements.
Counselor Brown moved to approve the operating budgets for Winslow Park under Item 78-26, saying, "Be it ordered that $478,095 be approved for the Delia B. Powers Memorial Winslow Park budget from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027, and $34,200 be approved for the Harb Cottage budget from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027." The motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.
Under Item 79-26 the council adopted the town's municipal operating budget for July 1, 2026'June 30, 2027. A council member acknowledged the public hearing held at the prior meeting and thanked staff and department heads for the time invested in preparing the budget. Councilors said they had heard residents' concerns about tax trajectories and noted ongoing work by the finance committee to plan for next year.
The council next adopted the FY2027 capital budget, approving appropriations totaling $2,480,500 for projects and the same amount to be taken from reserve funds. Counselor Postberry moved the capital appropriation. The council also approved appropriations for the Destination Freeport Tax Increment Finance District, Concord Gully Brook TIF, and Village Corridor TIF for fiscal 2027 totaling $1,133,000.
All motions were seconded and approved by voice vote; the record shows assent but no roll-call tallies were provided in the transcript. Council members closed the budget items with thanks to staff for extensive behind-the-scenes work.
Next steps: the FY2027 budgets take effect July 1, 2026, and the finance committee indicated it will continue work early in the fiscal year to address tax trajectory and service demands.
