Bristol budget committee backs $10.49 million warrant article, endorses revenue estimate

The Bristol Budget Committee voted unanimously to recommend that voters approve a $10,489,158 warrant article for fiscal 2026 and approved the committee’s revenue estimate of $4,185,907.

The chair opened the public hearing by laying out the topline figures: “the warrant article that will be on the ballot at the March Town meeting is for $10,489,158, which is roughly a 5.8% increase,” and said the select board had approved a 4% pay raise for town employees to keep up with higher costs. Committee members repeatedly flagged payroll, rising health‑insurance costs and additional training requirements as primary drivers of the increase.

Committee members also discussed a one‑time single audit tied to more than $750,000 in federal grant funding for the Central Street pumping‑station and forced‑main project. Staff explained the federal requirement: when a municipality receives over $750,000 in federal grant funds in a year, an additional single‑audit step applies, increasing audit expense across affected departments.

The committee emphasized that the warrant total is a gross appropriation and does not equate to a tax rate. As the chair explained, revenues and enterprise funds — including water and sewer user fees — reduce the portion that must be raised through property taxes. The committee approved recommending the budget to the select board by a 7–0 vote and approved the revenue estimate in a separate 7–0 vote.

The committee will post the full budget and revenue materials on the town’s website; the matter goes to voters at the scheduled town election and town meeting timetable listed in the warrant.