Council holds public hearing, accepts levy sheet; adopts budget revision after roll‑call vote

The council opened the public hearing on the municipal levy and explained the levy order and rate sheet the town will send to the state. Chair emphasized that the levy package includes no new taxes or fee increases and that council approved a 10% reduction in the municipal real‑estate tax rate "to provide some relief to the residents and the commercial property owners here in the town of Bath," a move the council said is balanced by expected growth in municipal sales tax.

After public remark time the council moved to accept the municipal levy order and rate sheet for 2026–27; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote. Council later considered a budget revision (Budget Revision No. 6 for Fund 1). Finance staff said the revision increases revenue lines by $37,640 (excess tax on utilities $10,000; fine fees and court costs $5,000; other grants $9,000; interest earned $13,500; accident reports $140) and reallocates expenditures for streets/highways, garbage, civic promotions and other items. The resolution to adopt the revision was moved, seconded and adopted by roll call; the clerk recorded affirmative votes by Greg Shane, Susan Webster, Elizabeth Skinner, Mary Lynn Hickey, Rita Dawson, Rick Weber and Ryan Kessel. The clerk was authorized to sign the request to the state auditor for approval.

The meeting’s record shows several motions to pay bills and distributions carried by voice vote: motions were recorded to pay town bills (transcript contains two inconsistent readbacks: $43,091.72 and later $42,091.72), pay Berkeley Springs Water Works bills of $72,529.08, pay On Track bills $1,744.30, distribute hotel/motel tax $21,507.63 and pay tree board bills $100. The record contains the motions and voice approvals; the transcript contains the amount discrepancy for town bills and that discrepancy is noted for transparency.