FinCom weighed taxes, local needs in advocating 1.9% spending hike
We were very aware of the concerns expressed by many citizens about increases in property taxes over the last several years.
At our December 11 meeting, the Acton Finance Committee approved by a unanimous vote a motion to set a final overall target of a 1.9% increase in spending subject to guidelines for fiscal year 2027 (FY27), over the FY26 spending approved at Annual Town Meeting in June 2025. This translates to final guidelines for the individual budget units as follows: 2.5% for the town, 2.75% for Acton Public Schools, and -0.79% for Acton-Carlisle Regional School District (CCRSD). The -0.79% guideline for CCRSD was consistent with the request made by the budget unit and reflects the impact of an enrollment shift on Acton’s allocated budget share. This in turn lowered the overall guideline number for FY27.
The Finance Committee’s deliberations were informed by materials provided to us by the Finance Department and the schools, and we want to express our appreciation for their consistent cooperation and responsiveness to our requests for information. We were also very aware of the concerns expressed by many citizens about increases in property taxes over the last several years.
The town and school final FY27 operating budgets are still in development. These final guidelines, which were the result of extensive discussions, are being set now to inform that process. To meet these guidelines, CPS will have to identify $90,501 in reductions, and the town will have to identify $151,555 in reductions, from the draft budgets presented to the Finance Committee in December.
We look forward to hearing about the steps being undertaken to achieve these goals and to identify efficiencies in this and future fiscal years at our public hearings on the budget warrant articles in March.
Lyndsey Lis
Potter Street
On behalf of the Acton Finance Committee
