Johnson voters approve $3.7 million operating budget; property tax rate rises about 4.18%

Voters at the Town of Johnson annual meeting approved the operating budget for fiscal year 2025 totaling $3,699,957.86, a package the selectboard said represents a 4.18% increase in property taxes.

Selectboard Chair Evan Patch walked attendees through the budget page by page, identifying a projected shortfall in pilot payments from the state college and measures to cushion the blow with existing reserves. "The budget that's in front of you represents a 4.18% increase to property taxes," Patch said during his presentation, and he highlighted that the town had lost roughly $50,000 in pilot payments because the common level of appraisal (CLA) used in the pilot formula dropped.

Patch noted the budget includes expected state grants for energy improvements to the town garage and an $86,160 inflow from an asphalt reserve fund to cover planned paving projects. He also told voters the town had budgeted for higher employee costs: the selectboard increased the town administrator's hours from 32 to 40, and cost‑of‑living adjustments and higher hours account for part of a roughly $40,000 increase in the salaries line.

Residents asked for clarifications about grant assumptions and what would happen if anticipated grant revenue did not materialize; Patch responded that most grants are "money in, money out" and that projects depending on grant awards likely would be canceled if grants fail to come through.

Moderator David Williams called for a motion to approve Article 5, and the budget motion was moved and seconded from the floor. After discussion, the voice vote carried and the article passed.

The selectboard said the town will continue to monitor revenues (including the pilot payment formula) and consider more detailed reporting in next year's town report to increase transparency around multi‑year projects such as the library move and the industrial park.