The Southport School Committee proposed a lower budget for the 2026-27 year. The $1,569,234 proposal is $25,431 lower than FY 26's. The committee proposed lowering spending in four areas: special education ($14,218), student and staff support ($1,000), transportation and buses ($21,879), and facilities and maintenance ($62,265). 

The only proposed school spending increase was for regular instruction, which showed a $22,473 increase to $881,865.

Despite the lower spending, Southport's overall assessment increased by $150,675 to $1,494,234. The committee used $200,000 from surplus in last year's budget. This year, the committee didn't use any.

Southport voters will decide the school and municipal budget at 7 p.m. Monday, March 2 in the town hall. The 2026 town warrant has 60 town meeting articles. The school budget has 24 and the municipal warrant has 36.

Last year, Southport approved a $1,560,255 municipal budget. This year's proposed budget is an unofficial $114,452 increase. 
With less than a week before town meeting, the warrant may change. Boothbay Region Refuse Disposal District requested $298,459. Selectmen and the budget committee recommended raising that amount. 

During the Feb. 18 Boothbay selectmen's meeting, it was discovered the formula calculations were flawed. On Feb. 19, new calculations were performed using correct data. Those figures showed Southport's portion is $19,186 more than previously calculated.

Southport Selectman Gerry Gamage said, as of Feb. 22, Southport has no intention of changing the original figure. "I don't know anything about it. So, no. Until someone over there (refuse district) contacts us, we have no reason to make a change," he said. 

For the municipal budget, selectmen and the budget committee recommend $242,280 for town administration. The proposal is a $6,730 increase. The proposed town hall operation and maintenance account is down. Selectmen and the budget committee recommend $13,400, which is a $775 decrease.

There is a new expenditure on this year's warrant. Town officials requested $50,000 for a total tax revaluation fund. 

The budget committee recommended a slight decrease for code enforcement. The committee proposed $38,220, which is a $50 decrease. The budget committee recommended no increase for planning and appeals board ($1,900). The proposed fire department budget is up by $2,000 to $38,100.

Town officials rerquested adding $50,000 to the fire truck fund. As of Dec. 31, 2025, the fund had $381,773, according to the town report. The town's request for fire protection, $103,000, is the same as last year's. Town officials requested an increase in the public works budget. The $484,250 proposal includes $22,996 from the state's Local Road Assistance funds and raising $461,254. Last year, residents approved $460,000.

In a separate transaction, town officials recommend purchasing a $28,600 mulcher for the public works department.

Boothbay Region Ambulance Service requested a $8,725 increase to $118,500. The request is based on a formula between members Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor and Southport. 

Southport Memorial Library trustees requested more funding. Trustees requested $123,058, which is a $3,523 increase. The budget committee and selectmen recommended $24,350 for the Hendricks Hill Museum trustees. This is $7,400 less than last year.

Town officials requested the following amounts for municipal expenses and non-profit organization requests: street lights, $3,000; cemetery district, $16,000; Midcoast Humane Society, $950; general assistance, $2,000; Boothbay Region District Nurse, $3,000; Boothbay Region Health Center, $13,000; Fireworks Fund, $2,000; New Hope Midcoast, $4,240; Spectrum Generations, $1,100; Midcoast Maine Community Action Fund, $550; Boothbay Region TV, $5,000; Community Resources Council, $7,500; The Community Center, $4,000; Healthy Kids, $1,500;  LifeFlight, $1,200; The Harbor Theater, $1,000;  and Lincoln County Dental, $2,500.

Earlier on March 2, residents will head to the polls for municipal elections. There are no contested races. The following incumbents are seeking re-election: Gerry Gamage, selectman; and Smith Climo, Boothbay Region Water District trustee.

Two school committee members are seeking re-election. Marc Kurtz is seeking his first full three-year term. Adam Climo is seeking a one-year term. He is trying to fill out Kathy Tibbetts' unexpired term.

 All terms, except for Adam Climo's school committee seat, are for three years.