Budget FY 2027/Override Information

The FY 27 Budget process has started! Please check back frequently for updates.

For the 2026 Annual Town Meeting Warrant with Motions and Summaries please go to Government/Town Meeting Warrants ATM26WarrantwMotionsFinal4.pdf

Frequently Asked Questions:

What happens if Town Meeting and/or the Voters do/do not approve any overrides?

Town Meeting and approval by the Voters are two separate and distinct processes for an override to pass. The smallest override amount approved by BOTH the Voters AND Town Meeting will take effect for FY 27.

Doesn't Town Meeting have to approve of the override first?

No. There is not any required order of approval. Town Meeting or the Voters can take action on the override first. The Select Board approved of the ballot questions so that they can appear on the Annual Town Election ballot. Waiting until after Town Meeting would require a special election to be called in late May/June due to timing within Southampton's by-laws.

Why can't Town Meeting vote on each override amount?

The "menu" approach to the Articles presents two or more Articles each of which will fund different services or programs. Each Article would stand on its own merits. Therefore, if Town Meeting approves more than one Article, the community's levy limit is increased by the total of the amounts specified in all approved Articles.

Town Meeting can only approve one override amount. Only one override amount can be proposed in the motion for Article 2. Motions can be amended with approval of the Town Moderator and majority vote of Town Meeting. Once a motion is voted on, the article is completed, there will not be another amount or option to vote on.

If the higher amount is approved, it will automatically include the lower amount.

Why isn't the base budget on the ballot for approval?

Voters only approve the override amounts. Town Meeting approves the base budget as Southampton's legislative body.