ROCKPORT — A proposed 2026-2027 municipal budget for the Town of Rockport is ready for citizen review in advance of an April public hearing date, and eventual annual Town Meeting vote June 9.

The proposed budget, as presented by Town Manager Jon Duke, calls for a .74 percent increase from the $11,085,971 current budget to a $12,659,689 for the coming July-June fiscal year of 2026-2027.

Expenditures, which are broken down to individual line items and substantiated in the 430-page document, are categorized according to municipal departments/functions, as well as the town's debt service to money it has borrowed for various projects.

Revenue is likewise incorporated into the overall budget, which is to help offset the cost of expenditures and ease the financial load on property owners paying real estate taxes. With the new budget, anticipated total revenue is $4,196,536.

That derives from a variety of fees collected at the town office, grants, Opera House rentals, cemetery plots and special assessments (state revenue sharing ($780,000) and the use of unassigned fund balance ($320,000). 

With revenue, the net budget that is to be shouldered by Rockport property taxpayers is $8,463,153, up $62,012. This does not include Knox County taxes, which are estimated to rise following a 22 percent budget increase, and the 2.7 and 3 percent increases with Camden-Rockport K-8 and Camden Hills Regional High School budgets.

The total net tax load for Rockport taxpayers is targeted at $24,036,022, representing a 3.4 percent, or $790,162, increase over the current fiscal year.

Meanwhile, with proposed municipal expenditures, Rockport is still paying off old debt.

According to the budget documentation, Rockport's current long-term debt obligations of approximately $12 million include a variety of projects approved by voters in past years. They range from a new Public Works Sand and Salt Shed Building to a sewer extension ($6 million), repairs to the Opera House, Infrastructure (West Rockport Fire Station) and Library construction, municipal leased/purchased vehicles, as well as Rockport's share of infrastructure improvements (Dispatch, E-911 Center) for Knox County.

The 2026-2027 payment on the total debt is $685,057.

Within the budget, departments have varying degrees of proposed increases and decreases:

General Government (Town Office, Insurance), up 2 percent to $2.1 million. 

General Assistance: down 86 percent from $81,330 to $11,330.

Duke's explanation for that reduction follows:

"Rockport] Worked with VOA (Volunteers of America) in transporting individuals to rehab facilities to get the help they needed, or transporting them to homeless shelters, instead of being homeless. Two hotels in Rockport have now been sold and renovated and are no longer accepting general assistance, which has limited the amount of housing in Rockport, therefore, not drawing individuals to the Mid-Coast area. This will help decrease the GA budget.

"The General Assistance Department will continue to build upon goals to assist households in making short and long term changes, and respond to the needs of individuals and the community as they arise, which is an ongoing goal of the department as the Town's General Assistance Administrator who sees or takes calls from different and new clients on a daily basis. We are dedicated to assist household needs which can assist them in becoming self-sufficient.

"Upcoming Challenges Facing the Department

Annually the General Assistance Administrator is required to complete basic and advanced GA training and most recently ]trauma-informed services' and 'culturally and linguistically services' training to be able to assist clients on another level. These responsibilities now increase assistance from 30 days to a six months and 6-12 months period for relocations services, as well as update the statewide database on a regular basis. These additional responsibilities are mandated by the state and now require a lot more time by our administrator and costs for appropriate services and assistance by the town. Also, we are now required by the State to always have general assistance applications available anytime the town office is open and make sure General Assistance services are available 24/7 for emergencies. We will need part-time back up assistance available when the GA Administrator is out of the office.

"Key Budget Changes

"I am suggesting to reduce the budget due to lack of housing availability, it is difficult to predict an accurate number with services, but we will need to prepare for emergencies and assistance."

Public Safety (Police, Fire, EMS, Animal Control, Harbor Master): down 3.6 percent to $4 million. Although the Animal Control line increases 63 percent from $7,470 to $12,900.

Public Services (Public Works, Sanitation, Buildings and Grounds): increases 6.4 percent.

Culture and Recreation (Library, Parks, Opera House): decreases 4.1 percent. Although there is a 25 percent increase in the Recreation line from $78,000 to $98,000. According to the budget document: 

"The Recreation Committee is looking to build a new playground in a safer, more convenient location between the LL softball and baseball fields. The old playground is nearly 25 years old, is located near the entrance and out of sight of parents, has safety concerns, and damage throughout. An area has been cleared at the back of the property, which has clear visibility from all the playing fields, near the concession stand, and in a safe area.

"Groundwork has been quoted at around $6,500, and the new playground is $32,000, including installation. Continuing to maintain the fields, roads, and dugouts will be a part of a yearly maintenance program, ensuring the longevity of the infrastructure. Looking to expand the paving from West St, to the concession stand building. Adding $25,000 each year will allow road expansion in section and reducing a large one year impact at once."

According to Duke, in his budget memo, savings are to be realized in the Police Department:

"This year’s police budget will draw considerable attention, as we sunset our contract with the Town of Camden for Police Chief services. Even with this transition, the police budget is proposed to decrease by 2.6% in FY 2027. Under the leadership of Interim Chief Chris Young, we restructured the department by eliminating the lieutenant role and reallocating those resources to an additional patrol position. This shift not only mitigates the long-standing overtime burden—Rockport’s largest police cost driver—but also creates a more sustainable staffing model. With a full-time chief supported by a sergeant, administrative needs will be fully met without unnecessary overhead. This approach strengthens the department’s effectiveness while reducing burnout among our officers."

Additionally, the town hopes to save money by no longer contracting with a private business for mowing lawns on municipally-owned real estate.

The following is the meeting schedule for budget workshops and meetings. They should all be streamed live and available to watch on YouTube at the town's channel.

The first budget workshop with the Select Board and Budget Committee will take place March 4, 6 p.m., at the Rockport Opera House.

On March 30, the Select Board is to review the recommendations from the Budget Committee and finalize its budget. The meeting will start at 6 p.m. and will be held at the Rockport Opera House. 

On April 1, the Budget Committee will vote on its recommendations, at 6 p.m., at the Rockport Opera House.

The Select Board Meeting will vote on the finalized proposed budget April 13, and if endorsed, will go before voters for final approval June 9, but secret ballot at the polls.

Reach Editorial Director Lynda Clancy at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com; 207-706-6657