FY2027 Proposed Operating Budget

Welcome to the Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) Budget Book for the Town of Great Barrington. This document is more than a collection of numbers; it is a comprehensive financial roadmap that reflects the Town’s commitment to transparent governance, strategic planning, and responsible stewardship of public resources. The FY27 budget was developed through a structured review process grounded in policy, data analysis, and alignment with the Selectboard’s adopted Strategic Priorities. 

The FY27 Budget Book provides residents, stakeholders, and policymakers with a clear understanding of the Town’s financial position, the challenges shaping this year’s budget, and the decisions required to maintain essential services. As communities across Massachusetts continue to navigate the structural constraints of Proposition 2½ and rising external costs, this budget reflects a deliberate effort to balance service delivery, fiscal stability, and long-term sustainability. 

What You Will Find in the Budget Book

The FY27 Budget Book is organized to help readers easily follow the full budget story  from high-level fiscal strategy to detailed financial schedules and department-level information. 

View the Budget Book

Prefer to navigate by chapter? Use the links below.

Chapter Links (Five Tabs)

1) Introduction & Overview 
Includes the Town Manager’s FY27 Budget Message, Financial Summaries, and the FY27–FY32 Multi-Year Financial Strategy.

2) Operating Budget 
Includes the FY27 Operating Budget summary, General Fund details, and the Enterprise Fund (Wastewater).

3) Capital Budget 
Includes the Capital Investment Framework summary, Capital Improvement Plan, and FY27 recommended capital requests.

4) Community Preservation
Includes the Community Preservation Act summary and FY27 proposed projects.

5) Appendix 
Includes the Town’s FY27 Budget & Financial Policy, Select Board Strategic Priorities, Budget Directive & Guidance, FY27 Budget Action Calendar, FY26 Review/FY27 Forecast slides, and a municipal budget glossary.


How to Use This Budget Book

Whether you read the full book or explore by chapter, this document is designed to help the community understand:

  • What it costs to deliver municipal services and meet statutory obligations

  • How resources align with the Select Board’s Strategic Priorities

  • How capital and long-term planning support infrastructure preservation and financial sustainability


KEY UPCOMING DATES

  • Budget Workshops: February 24–25 (Operating Budget), March 3–4 (Capital Budget), March 23 (Warrant Articles and CPA)

  • Public Hearing on the FY27 Budget: April 14, 2026

  • Town Meeting: May 2, 2026, at 2:00 PM

  • Town Election: May 12, 2026

Public participation is an important part of ensuring the budget reflects community priorities and values as decisions move forward.