Article IV on Milton's 2026 Town Meeting ballot (PDF) asks, "Shall the Town assess a one percent (1%) local option tax on sales, meals and alcoholic beverages, and rooms, pursuant to 24 V.S.A. § 138(b)?"

The Town is asking voters to decide and is committed to making sure voters are informed about this topic. This evening, February 12, 2026 at 7 p.m. in the Community Room (or via zoom), the Selectboard will hold a special meeting with a forum on this proposed 1% Local Option Tax (view agenda PDF). The Town has also put together an information webpage at miltonvt.gov/LOT to address commonly asked questions. 

If you have any further questions, please feel free to reach out to Town Manager Chris Taylor at ctaylor@miltonvt.gov or at 802-891-8020. 

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Message from Town Manager Chris Taylor regarding the Proposed 1% Local Option Tax:

"The Town and the Selectboard are actively looking for ways to lessen the burden of funding municipal operations from resting almost entirely on property owners. The Local Option Tax is one option that allows the Town to shift how those same operational costs are funded, without increasing the overall amount of revenue needed.

"Today, most municipal services and infrastructure are funded through property taxes. The Local Option Tax provides a way to spread a portion of those costs beyond local property owners by capturing revenue from non-residents who regularly use Milton’s roads, services, and infrastructure. With Route 7, one of the busiest roadways in the state, running directly through town, Milton sees daily use by commuters, visitors, and shoppers who benefit from local infrastructure but do not pay property taxes here.

"At the state level, there are ongoing discussions about how heavily property owners shoulder the cost of education and ways to mitigate that through other existing revenue paths. While those conversations are separate from this proposal, they highlight a broader recognition that relying almost exclusively on property taxes creates challenges. It is reasonable for the Town to also examine whether adjustments at the local level make sense in the current environment.

"Placing the Local Option Tax on the ballot does not mean the Town or Selectboard is seeking to increase the overall tax burden. It reflects an effort to look openly at whether existing costs can be funded differently, reduce pressure on property owners, and distribute a portion of those costs more fairly among those who use and benefit from Milton’s services.

"Putting this question before voters ensures transparency and allows residents to decide whether this approach is appropriate for Milton."