By STEVEN JUPITER
BRANDON—In a marked contrast to last year’s drawn-out budget woes, Brandon voters approved the proposed 2025-2026 budget on the first attempt by almost a 2-to-1 margin. With a total of 932 ballots cast, 607 voters said yes while 318 voters said no.
Voters approved expenditures of $3,403,965, of which $2,876,645 is to be raised by property taxes and $527,320 is to be raised by non-tax revenues.
Voters also approved all of the appropriations that were requested on the ballot:
- $50,000 to establish a Capital Fund for future capital expenditures
- $4,000 for ARC-Rutland
- $7,000 for the Brandon Independence Day Celebration Committee
- $25,000 for the Brandon American Legion Post #55
- $1,000 for the Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce
- $82,580 for the Brandon Area Rescue Squad
- $92,000 for the Brandon Free Public Library
- $5,000 for the Brandon Museum
- $15,000 for the Brandon Senior Citizens Center
- $1,000 for the Open Door Clinic, Community Health Services of Addison County
- $1,500 for the Rutland County Humane Society
- $2,900 for the Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging
- $10,200 for the VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region
- $1,000 for Vermont Adult Learning
- $10,200 for VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region
These appropriations will be added to the amount to be raised by property taxes.
