FY2026-27 Budget and Property Tax Increases

The FY2026-27 budget process began with the town manager proposing a 5.52% tax rate increase on May 4, 2026, prompting council debate over balancing school needs against resident strain from prior hikes.

On that date, the council considered amendments to lower the rate, first failing a 5-4 motion to reach 4.50% then passing a 6-3 amendment setting school at 2.7% and municipal at 2.02% before further 5-4 and 7-2 amendments eliminated firefighter positions and used fund balances to arrive at a 5.18% total.

The school board met three days later and unanimously adopted the superintendent's budget after incorporating $123,240 in new state bridge funding that reduced the projected tax assessment from 2.89 to 2.70.

At the May 11 council meeting, members reviewed school articles and capital items, ultimately passing the overall budget 5-4 along with Pre-K-12 expenditure of $61,010,163 at 5-4 and Region 10 at 6-3, while also approving $1,220,000 in general-fund capital projects and $885,000 from TIF revenues.

Public comments throughout highlighted concerns over administrator salaries, rushed decision-making, and transparency in capital planning, while councilors noted the difficulty of separating municipal and school votes.

The 5.18% rate increase directly affects all Brunswick property owners and funds total Pre-K-12 spending of $61,010,163 amid ongoing debate over whether further reductions were feasible.