The Alton Town Budget Committee on Oct. 29 approved preliminary operating budgets for multiple departments for fiscal 2026, citing payroll increases, higher benefits costs and several one-time or contract-driven expenses.

Committee members voted to approve budgets after department heads and staff presented line-by-line explanations. Changes across departments were repeatedly described as payroll-driven: several presenters said full-time wage lines were the primary source of increases, while some non-pay items were reduced or held level.

Notable line items and committee actions included the following motions and committee votes (as stated on the record):

- “I’ll make a motion to approve the budget for administration $465,946.” Motion seconded; vote recorded in favor.
- Motion to approve the building department budget (motion language spoken in the meeting; amount stated on the record). Motion seconded; vote recorded in favor.
- “Make a motion to approve legal expenses for the 2026 budget at $145,418.” Motion seconded; vote recorded in favor.
- Motion to approve parks and recreation budget (amount stated in the meeting). Motion seconded; vote recorded in favor.
- “I’ll make a motion to approve the 2026 budget for planning and zoning for a $157,510.” Motion seconded; vote recorded in favor.
- “I’ll make a motion to approve the lease budget of $1,586,715.” Motion seconded; vote recorded in favor (police budget/lease line).
- “Make a motion that we approve the town clerk budget April at $113,843.” Motion seconded; vote recorded in favor.
- “I’ll make a motion to approve the water department budget of $600,916.” Motion seconded; vote recorded in favor.

Several votes were recorded verbally as “Aye” without a roll-call tally in the transcript. Exact roll-call vote counts were not specified on the record for these motions.

Why it matters: The approved figures will guide departmental spending and influence final warrant articles the town will present to voters. Committee members and department heads discussed where the town could trim non-pay spending to absorb wage and benefits pressure and noted the town’s ongoing use of warrant-article funding for certain new positions that are now being incorporated into operating budgets.

What comes next: Committee members scheduled follow-up meetings to finalize remaining budgets and discussed options for voter education — including a mailed voters’ guide and supplemental online materials — in advance of the warrant.