Summary

This amendment shifts approval of the annual municipal budget from the traditional in-person open Town Meeting (which has historically had low turnout) to a secret ballot referendum, similar to the process used for RSU 14 school budgets. It aims to increase resident participation and accessibility (including via absentee ballots).

​

Key features:

• The Town Council gains flexibility in how to present the budget to voters.

​

• If portions of the budget are rejected at the referendum, a special open Town Meeting can be called to address those specific items.

​

• The timeline for the Town Manager to prepare and submit the budget is adjusted to fit the referendum process.

​

• If approved, the change generally takes effect January 1, 2027.

​

Official Ballot Language (Question 1)

Shall the Town approve charter amendment summarized below, to be effective January 1, 2027?

​

To amend Article V (Budget) and Article VIII (The Town Meeting) of the Town Charter to:

• Change the method of Town Meeting’s voting on the annual budget from an open town meeting to a secret ballot referendum;

​

• Provide for a special open Town Meeting to be held to consider portions of the annual budget rejected at the secret ballot referendum;

​

• Authorize the Town Council to choose how to present the budget to voters for approval; and

​

• Adjust the timeline for the Town Manager to prepare and submit the proposed annual budget to the Town Council for review, to accommodate use of the secret ballot referendum process.

​

https://www.windhammaine.us/DocumentCenter/View/12494/Charter-Amendments-5262026

​