Barnstable posts FY2027 budget, previews public hearings and new ClearGov site

Mark Ells, Barnstable town manager, said the proposed FY2027 operating budget and capital plan are posted on the town website and linked from the town manager and finance pages. He told the council that hard copies were provided to members in advance of public hearings that began June 11 and are scheduled to continue June 25.

Ells said preliminary real estate and property tax bills for FY2027 have been processed and will be mailed to property owners. "Preliminary tax bills are calculated at 50% of the total taxes assessed for the previous fiscal year," he said, and noted first installment payments are due Aug. 3 with a second installment due Nov. 2. Residents with questions were directed to the Tax Collector's Office at 508-862-4054.

Ells also announced the town will replace its open budget website with ClearGov in fiscal 2027, describing the vendor's tools as providing "more robust financial visualization" and an "AI-powered chatbot" to help residents explore spending and priorities. He said the administration will provide updates as the new platform is implemented.

The town did not provide detailed line-item changes in this presentation; Ells directed residents to the posted documents and upcoming hearings for specific proposed appropriations and to comment during the public hearing process. The council's next scheduled budget hearings will determine any changes before final adoption.