Welcome to the Citizen's Guide to Hubbardston's FY26 Budget. This guide is designed to help residents understand the municipal budget process, where your tax dollars go, and how town finances impact the services you receive. Our goal is to provide transparent, accessible information that empowers you to participate in the budget conversation.
The town budget is more than just numbers—it's a reflection of our community's priorities and a roadmap for Hubbardston's future. By understanding the budget, you can make informed decisions about town initiatives and participate meaningfully in town meetings.
Your participation in town government matters! By understanding the budget and getting involved in the process, you help ensure that Hubbardston's financial decisions reflect community priorities and needs.
Budget discussions often involve specialized terms that can be confusing. This glossary explains common budget-related terminology to help you better understand Hubbardston's finances.
Here are answers to some common questions about Hubbardston's budget process and financial management.
Property taxes are calculated by multiplying the assessed value of your property by the tax rate. The tax rate is expressed as dollars per thousand of assessed valuation.
For example, if your home is assessed at $350,000 and the residential tax rate is $16.75 per thousand, your annual property tax would be: $350,000 ÷ 1,000 × $16.75 = $5,862.50.
The tax rate is determined annually based on the town's budget needs and total property valuation.
Budget increases typically reflect rising costs for goods and services, inflation, contractual obligations for employee salaries and benefits, and investments in infrastructure maintenance or improvement.
The FY26 budget increase of 5.54% is driven by several factors, including:
Free Cash is the unrestricted funds from operations of the previous fiscal year that are certified by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. It's essentially the town's "surplus" from the previous year.
This surplus can result from collecting more revenue than anticipated, spending less than budgeted, or a combination of both. Free Cash is typically used for:
For FY26, Hubbardston is using $100,000 in Free Cash to help balance the budget while maintaining financial stability.
There are several ways to participate in Hubbardston's budget process:
Education typically represents the largest expense category in municipal budgets across Massachusetts, including Hubbardston's. At 61.5% of the FY26 budget, education funding reflects:
As a regional school district member, Hubbardston's assessment is determined by a formula that accounts for student enrollment and other factors. The town has representation on the regional school committee but must meet its obligated assessment.
The town budget is Hubbardston's financial plan for the fiscal year, which runs from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. It outlines expected revenues (income) and planned expenditures (spending), serving as a blueprint for providing municipal services and addressing community needs.
This represents a 5.54% increase over FY25, reflecting strategic investments in infrastructure, public safety, and resident services.
A 5.3% increase from last fiscal year, with revenues coming primarily from property taxes, state aid, and local receipts.
Free cash supplements revenue to balance the budget while maintaining financial stability.
The town budget directly impacts your daily life in Hubbardston, from the condition of the roads you drive on to the services available at the library. Understanding the budget helps you:
See exactly how your property taxes and other contributions are being invested in the community.
Engage in informed discussions at town meetings and provide valuable input on spending priorities.
Gain insight into Hubbardston's long-term goals and how current decisions affect the town's financial outlook.
Hubbardston's budget is developed and managed according to these core principles:
Ensuring that spending aligns with available resources and maintains financial stability for the town.
Providing clear, accessible information about how public funds are collected and spent.
Prioritizing spending that addresses immediate needs while building for the future.
Incorporating resident feedback and priorities into financial decisions.
Hubbardston's annual budget follows a structured process that takes approximately 9 months from initial planning to final approval. Understanding this timeline can help you identify when and how to participate.
Town Administrator and department heads begin planning for the upcoming fiscal year, assessing needs and priorities.
Select Board and Finance Committee establish budget guidelines and priorities. Department heads prepare budget requests.
Town Administrator reviews department requests, makes adjustments, and presents a proposed budget to the Select Board.
Finance Committee and Select Board hold public hearings. Residents can provide input on the budget proposal.
Residents vote on the proposed budget at the Annual Town Meeting. This is your most direct opportunity to influence the budget.
The approved budget takes effect for the new fiscal year.
The FY26 budget allocates funding to provide essential services and meet community needs. Here's a breakdown of how your tax dollars are distributed: