Jackson Select Board approves $3.49 million 2026 operating budget, backs warrant-article package

The Jackson Select Board on Feb. 3 approved the town’s 2026 operating budget of $3,488,869 and voted to forward a bundle of warrant articles to the March town meeting, including a new $50,000 Sidewalk Maintenance & Repair capital reserve fund.

The board’s unanimous votes covered line items across departments: increases for personnel administration to $653,347 (driven by insurance, NHRS and a budgeted new police officer), a $483,345 police budget, and a $245,163 fire budget that the board said reflects higher utilities and building maintenance for two fire buildings. Debt service was set at $139,498 for 2026 reflecting multiple bond and interest obligations. The Select Board approved the total operating budget on a motion by Barbara Campbell, seconded by Bob Thompson.

Why it matters: the budget and warrant-article package set tax-year priorities and the town’s requests to voters at the March 12 town meeting. Among the warrant items the board approved to put before voters are recurring capital and expendable trust allocations, social services support, and a new sidewalk CRF that town staff said will fund sidewalk repairs timed with NHDOT drainage replacement work in 2027–2028.

Details and board action: - Financial Administration: The board approved $294,511 for financial administration, citing higher professional fees (audit, consultant advisors) and software subscriptions. - Personnel: The personnel administration total of $653,347 accounts for health insurance (projected higher), NHRS increases and FICA/Medicare. The board approved the line following discussion about where personnel wage/benefit information is published. - Highway and public works: Highway administration and operations were approved (combined proposed highway operations $466,784) including funding for culverts, salt and a CDL training increase for a new hire; the board noted NHDOT block grants for some road projects. - Solid waste: The Select Board approved $154,085, noting an NHDES disposal surcharge and higher hauling/tipping costs. - Capital and warrant totals: After adjustments to recurring CRFs and ETF allocations, the Select Board approved a revised total warrant-article package of $612,508 to be presented to voters. The recurring CRF total was reduced to $383,190 and recurring expendable trust funds were approved at $140,000.

Social services and community programs: The board approved recurring social services funding of $30,318. Barbara Campbell introduced David Smolen, executive director of the Gibson Center, who described a request to increase Jackson’s contribution to $4,000 (the first increase in six years). Smolen described the center’s 2025 work delivering 628 Meals on Wheels to 33 Jackson residents and providing congregate lunches and partner programs in town.

Select Board recommendations on warrant and petitioned articles: The board reviewed multiple zoning amendments recommended by the Planning Board, including changes to short-term rental exemptions, a reduction in parking requirements to one space per dwelling unit, accessory apartment ingress/egress and occupancy rules, and an amendment to add “games of chance” (including Keno) to district regulations for voter consideration. The board voted to recommend those zoning amendments and most petitioned articles. The board also voted to recommend a petitioned purchase of two Shield 15B speed-display devices (petition cost $9,000, recommended). On the question of Keno, the Select Board voted 2–1–0 to recommend the article that would prohibit games of chance including Keno; that recommendation will go to voters for final action.

Votes at a glance: (Select Board motions unless noted) - Total 2026 operating budget: $3,488,869 — approved (motion: Barbara Campbell; second: Bob Thompson; vote: unanimous). - Total warrant-article package: $612,508 — approved (unanimous). - Sidewalk Maintenance & Repair CRF (new): $50,000 — approved (unanimous). - Recurring CRFs: $383,190 — approved (unanimous). - Recurring expendable trust funds: $140,000 — approved (unanimous). - Social services recurring allocations (including Gibson Center increase): $30,318 — approved (unanimous). - Petition to purchase two speed displays (Shield 15B), $9,000: Select Board recommended (3–0–0). - Select Board recommendation to prohibit Keno (games of chance): recommended 2–1–0 (goes to voters).

What’s next: The approved operating budget and the Select Board’s recommendations on warrant articles will be presented to voters at Town Meeting on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at Whitney Community Center (polls open for ballots on March 10 where applicable). The Select Board adjourned at 5:44 p.m.

Sources: Jackson Select Board Budget Hearing #2 transcript, Feb. 3, 2026.