ON THE BALLOT 2026

The City and EWSD Annual Meeting (election) is Tuesday, April 14, 2026, from 7 am to 7 pm at the Champlain Valley Exposition in the Blue Ribbon Pavilion, 105 Pearl Street, Essex Junction.
This is an enhanced voters' guide that provides an overview of all City of Essex Junction and EWSD ballot items, including links to the full text for the advisory votes, and information/links local candidates (when available).​
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Election winners will be highlighted in GREEN after the results come in.
For detailed information regarding results, visit VT SOS webpage
City of essex junction ballot measures/articles
Link to the City of Essex Junction page
Article 1: City General Fund Budget       passed
Voters could be asked to approve a proposed General Fund budget of $12,921,470 for the fiscal year 2027 (FY27), with $11,891,682 raised through property taxes. This budget is $502,228 (or 4.0%) higher than last year’s, resulting in a property tax rate increase from $1.0202 to $1.0624. For a $280,000 property, this means an additional $119 in city taxes compared to FY26.
Article 2: Public Works Facility Funding             passed
Voters could potentially be asked to approve up to $13,960,000 in bonds or notes for a new Public Works facility. The current buildings are outdated and fail to meet modern operational, safety, and accessibility standards. Replacing them would improve staff facilities and equipment storage, and enhance city services—especially during emergencies.
Article 3: City Council Member Compensation           passed
This article proposes raising the minimum annual pay for City Council members from $2,500 to $3,600. The Essex Junction Governance Committee supports this increase, citing the significant time and effort required of council members and hoping it will encourage more residents to run for office.
Article 4: Council President’s Pay                failed
A related proposed Charter amendment would pay the Council President 25% more than other council members, reflecting the role’s extra duties and time commitments.
Article 5: Adjusting Council Compensation               passed
This proposed Charter amendment would tie Council Compensation adjustments to the Consumer Price Index for the Northeast Region. The aim is to keep stipend adjustments fair and transparent.
Article 6: Regular City Charter Reviews                    passed
If approved, this proposed Charter amendment will require the City Council to appoint a Charter Review Committee at least once every 12 years.
Article 7: On-Time Tax Payments                           passed
Currently, the City accepts postmarks as proof of on-time tax payment, in accordance with state law. This proposed article asks if the City should stop accepting postmarks and require payments to be received by the due date. The change aims to reduce administrative burdens and ensure timely revenue collection.
Article 8: Drinking Water Project Loan            passed
​This proposed article would authorize a planning loan (up to $892,771) to identify service line materials and verify non-lead service lines, as required by new federal drinking water regulations. The City is eligible for partial loan forgiveness for this phase.
Article 9: Social Services Funding Program                  passed
​This proposed article asks voters to approve the creation of a Social Services Funding Program and a one-cent tax to support local social service organizations. The funding would be used for programs benefiting Essex Junction residents, addressing needs such as health, housing, and food security.
Department video breakdowns of its individual budget.  
City Council candidates (3 year terms)  choose 2
Library trustee (5 YEAR TERM)
Linda Hasan
Website/Facebook (NA)
ewds annual meeting AND bUDGET
​​The legal voters of the Essex Westford Educational Community Unified Union School District #51 (hereafter "Essex
Westford School District") comprising the voters of the City of Essex Junction, Town of Essex, and the Town of
Westford are hereby notified and warned to meet at their respective polling places on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 7:00
AM at which time the polls will open and 7:00 PM at which time the polls will close, to vote by Australian ballot on the following articles of business:
Article 1
​To authorize the Essex Westford School District to borrow money to be used for the payment of
District expenses by the issuance of notes or orders payable not later than one year from the date
of issuance, pending receipt of payments from the State Education Fund.
Article 2
​Shall the voters of the Essex Westford School District approve the school board to expend
$102,014,902, which is the amount the school board has determined necessary for the ensuing
fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026? The Essex Westford School District estimates that this proposed
budget, if approved, will result in per-pupil education spending of $14,468, which is 2.82% higher
than per-pupil education spending for the current year.
ARTICLE 3
Shall the voters of the Essex Westford School District authorize the school board to allocate the
FY2025 audited fund balance of $4,234,392 without effect upon the District tax levy as follows:
assign $4,034,392 as revenue for the FY2027 operating budget and assign the remaining balance,
$200,000, as revenue for future operating budgets?
ARTICLE 4
Shall the voters of the Essex Westford School District approve the school board to expend
$9,747,737, which is the amount the school board has determined necessary for the support of
the Center for Technology Essex for the ensuing fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026?
ARTICLE 5
Shall the voters of the Essex Westford School District authorize the school board to allocate the
Center for Technology Essex FY2025 audited fund balance of $1,053,800 without effect upon the
District tax levy as follows: assign $300,449 as revenue for the Center for Technology Essex
FY2027 operating budget and assign the remaining balance, $753,351 as revenue for future
operating budgets?
ARTICLE 6
​Shall the Essex Westford School District change the date of its Annual Meeting, beginning in 2027
and each year thereafter, from the second Tuesday in April to the first Tuesday in March?
ARTICLE 7
​Shall the voters of the City of Essex Junction elect two (2) School Directors for terms of three (3)
years?
Candidate information listed below:
​  Upon closing of the polls, the ballots for Articles 7 through 9 will be counted by local town/city election officials,
who shall transmit the voting results to the Clerk of the Essex Westford School District, who will then tabulate the
final results.
  Upon closing of the polls, the ballots for all other Australian ballot Articles shall be transported by the members of
the Board of Civil Authority to a central location where the ballots will be commingled and counted under the
supervision of the Clerk of the Essex Westford School District, who will then tabulate the final results, pursuant to
16 VSA Section 741-742.
  The legal voters of the Essex Westford School District are further notified that voter qualification and registration
relative to said Annual Meeting shall be as provided in Chapter 11, Subchapter 3 of Title 16 and Chapters 43, 51,
and 55 of Title 17, Vermont Statutes Annotated.

Informational Hearing
Said persons and voters are further notified and warned of a public informational hearing, pursuant to 17 V.S.A.
§2680(h), on March 31, 2026, at 6:30 pm at the Essex High School Library on Educational Drive in Essex Junction.
The informational hearing is to discuss and provide voters with information on Articles 1 through 6.
For more in depth information regarding the budget click here.
Link to the annual meeting warning
ewsd SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES (3 YEAR TERMS)  CHOOSE 2
​Town Meeting TV candidate forum, Essex Junction School Board seats
Scott Brown
Website/Facebook (NA)
Taryn Hennebicque
​Facebook
Dawn Irwin
Facebook
Official sample ballots