Brookline Budget Override
Shall the Town of Brookline be allowed to assess an additional $23,254,439 in real estate and personal property taxes for the purposes of funding the costs of Brookline Public Schools ($17,944,439) and funding the costs of additional expenditures in municipal departments ($5,310,000) for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026?The two narratives below Support and Oppose the ballot question. Narrative In Support of Question (Yes)Brookline is one of many Massachusetts communities facing fiscal challenges due to inflation, rising costs, and state limits on property taxes. Without action, we face devastating cuts to public safety, education, essential infrastructure repairs, and vital community services.Voting YES maintains the services we all rely on, while increasing our tax base 2.96%, 1.68%, and 2.35% over the next three years. Let’s protect what makes our town thrive and plan responsibly for the future.For our town, voting YES preserves:● Fire safety (response times and avoiding losing 20 firefighters)● Community safety (6 police officer positions)● Sustainability, tree protection, and library services● Senior Center shuttle● And much more!For our schools, voting YES preserves:● 210+ teachers & staff (14.5% of total)● Class sizes under 30+ students● Middle school world languages● Grade 4-8 music instruction● Grade 1 full-time classroom aides● Student support and athletics at BHS● And much more!Narrative Opposing the Question (No)There is a lot of talk about affordability in Brookline. Homeowners balance their budgets. We are asking the town to do the same. A $23.25 Million property tax override would be the largest in Massachusetts history.Since 2015, Brookline has raised more revenue through property tax overrides than any other Massachusetts community, ensuring a continuing path to unaffordability.Town leaders have placed overrides on the ballot in 1994, 2008, 2015, 2018, 2023 and now 2026. In addition, multiple debt exclusions have also raised taxes and the cost to live here. We are pricing all but the very wealthy out of Brookline. We value our essential town services and our schools, but we also know that many Brookline residents cannot afford a further 18% tax increase if this override prevails. Please vote to keep Brookline affordable. Vote for a sustainable, balanced budget.
