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Panton proposes $1.12 million FY2026 budget; audit firm hired and grouped charity appropriations draw objections
Summary
Town officials presented a $1,119,954 proposed FY2026 budget with $955,898 to be raised by taxes (a 6% reduction from last year); the town has contracted RHR Smith to audit FY24–FY25. A $13,451 block appropriation to local charities prompted calls to split the vote into individual items.
Selectboard Chair Howard Hall and Clerk/Treasurer Kyle Rowe presented the Town of Panton’s proposed fiscal year 2026 general fund operating budget of $1,119,954, with $955,898 to be raised by property taxes and $164,056 from non‑tax revenues. Rowe told attendees the amount to be raised by taxes is down about 6% from the prior year.
Kyle Rowe said the town has engaged RHR Smith of Maine to perform audits for fiscal years 2024 and 2025; the firm is expected to complete work by the end of the current fiscal year. He also described recent volunteer assistance in the town office that has improved operations and noted the town plans to use well‑funded reserve accounts as part of near‑term fiscal planning.
Rowe outlined budgetary uncertainties that complicate forecasting, including weather and other external factors affecting highway needs. He said the highway department is developing a paving plan and policy and will apply to the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VT AoT) for a structures grant to replace culverts on Panton Road. The town is also awaiting a response to a FEMA application for recent flood repairs.
Martha DeGraff read Article 5, which would appropriate $13,451 to 20 local organizations (including Adams‑Kent Cemetery Association, Addison County Home Health & Hospice, Boys & Girls Club of Vergennes, Tri‑Valley Transit and WomenSafe). Resident Debbie Brace urged that those appropriations be voted on separately rather than grouped into a single yes/no ballot item so voters can approve or reject individual organizations.
No formal vote on the budget or appropriations took place at the informational meeting; Article 3 (the FY2026 budget) and Article 5 (charitable appropriations) will appear on the Australian ballot per the warning read at the meeting. Rowe said he will post the presentation and corrected town report materials on the town website.
The meeting also included brief discussion of employee insurance costs and equipment procurement policies, with residents urging broader advertising for openings and caution around purchases. The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
