Sanford approves municipal portion of FY2026-27 budget; school budget set for June 9 referendum

On April 7 the Sanford City Council adopted the municipal portion of the FY2026-27 budget and signed a municipal warrant to call a school budget validation referendum for June 9, 2026.

The council voted to adopt municipal appropriations and related capital reserves and revenue figures: municipal appropriation $42,612,263; municipal capital reserve $4,236,249; municipal revenue $22,229,763; and the planned use of undesignated fund balance $1,350,000. Councilors discussed the school budget separately after staff reported the legislature may deliver additional EPS (education) funding for the district of roughly $230,490. City staff explained that if the additional state funding is confirmed it could reduce the school side tax impact by about nine cents per $1,000—moving the year-over-year school tax increase below 5 percentage points.

Because absentee-ballot information and printed referendum materials must be available to voters 30 days before the election, staff recommended holding final school appropriations until the council can confirm the state’s supplemental appropriation (expected in mid‑May). The council followed that recommendation: it approved the municipal numbers tonight and agreed to finalize school appropriations at the next meeting once state figures are confirmed.

Separately, the council approved the municipal warrant calling the school budget validation referendum to be held June 9, 2026, with polls at Sanford High School and Regional Technical Center (100 Alumni Boulevard) opening 7:00 a.m. and closing at 8:00 p.m., and the clerk’s office extending hours to facilitate absentee voting.

Next steps: Staff will monitor the state supplemental budget and return with final school appropriation figures at the next council meeting; referendum materials must be made available for absentee voters and on election day.