FY27 operating budget | southborough.infohttps://southborough.info/issues/fy27-operating-budget/2026-10-16T15:05:38-04:00Board of Health, Tue, Apr 7: Annual Town Meeting warrant previewhttps://southborough.info/topics/3tvk5LPNga4/42026-04-07T12:00:00ZThe board reviewed its presence and warrant articles for the upcoming Annual Town Meeting. The department's operating budget will appear under Article 6, and the annual renewal of its revolving account is expected to be included in the consent agenda. Outcome: Board members coordinated attendance for the meeting.Advisory Committee, Mon, Apr 6: Review of Advisory Committee Town Meeting reporthttps://southborough.info/topics/GzmDgSFDiu0/32026-04-06T12:00:00ZThe committee reviewed and edited its draft booklet report to Town Meeting, detailing recommendations on the operating budget, capital articles, and warrant questions. Members agreed to highlight Article 13, a $25 million roadway and sidewalk improvement borrowing proposal, as a major standalone discussion. The report will also include multi-year budget forecast tables and warnings about structural deficits and the likelihood of a future Proposition 2 1/2 operational override. Outcome: Report revisions directed for final administrative compilation.Advisory Committee, Wed, Mar 25: Draft Advisory Committee report for Annual Town Meetinghttps://southborough.info/topics/9wWw5PxEqGQ/22026-03-25T12:00:00ZMembers reviewed the working draft of the Advisory Committee report that will be distributed to residents for the 2026 Annual Town Meeting. The discussion highlighted the recommended FY27 operating budget of $71,415,873, representing an estimated 4.64 percent tax bill increase for an average single-family home. The committee also discussed commentary on municipal health plan changes, noting that shifting to a high-deductible health plan with a Health Savings Account could save the town up to $750,000 annually, while emphasizing long-term OPEB liabilities and benefit contribution split ratios. Outcome: Members will submit revisions to the chair to update article numbers, reflect recent votes, and finalize the draft.Select Board, Tue, Mar 17: Town Meeting warrant: Operating budget and town articleshttps://southborough.info/topics/eGWVk9sEbBw/72026-03-17T12:00:00ZThe board voted recommendations on remaining warrant articles for the Annual Town Meeting. The board voted 3-2 to recommend the FY27 operating budget under Article 6 after adjustments to health insurance projections required deferring one DPW truck and shifting a $75,000 brush truck to the Amos Fund. The board deferred voting on a $22 million road and sidewalk borrowing package until a full debt impact presentation is given on April 7, while approving support for capital borrowing, zoning updates, and a donated easement on Willow Street. Outcome: Articles 6, 12, 17, and 27 supported; Article 13 recommendation deferred to April 7; Articles 26 and 29/30 withdrawn.Advisory Committee, Mon, Mar 16: FY27 operating and capital budget review and votehttps://southborough.info/topics/12My_XciHTw/02026-03-16T12:00:00ZThe committee reviewed the latest FY27 budget model, which stood at a 4.64 percent year-over-year expenditure increase with a $553,000 levy balance. Key adjustments included shifting a $75,000 fire brush truck to the Ambulance Fund, deferring a $262,425 DPW dump truck lease to next year, and modeling employee transitions to high-deductible health plans. The committee debated school technology bonding and voted 3-2 to keep the $365,000 school technology capital bond before voting 5-0 to recommend the overall town budget of $73,455,973, which removed $820,000 for Atwood site remediation pending confirmation of DEP requirements. Outcome: Recommended FY27 budget total of $73,455,973 by a 5-0 vote, excluding the $820,000 Atwood site remediation article.Select Board, Tue, Mar 10: Insurance deductible bylaw change (Article 16)https://southborough.info/topics/4qfPD1Qpccs/102026-03-10T12:00:00ZMembers discussed Article 16, which authorizes funding for municipal insurance deductibles. Rather than continuing to present a $30,000 standalone warrant article each year, the board agreed to eliminate the article and fold the expense into the regular operating budget under benefits/insurance. Outcome: Board agreed to remove Article 16 from the warrant.Select Board, Tue, Mar 10: FY27 operating budget endorsement (Article 6)https://southborough.info/topics/4qfPD1Qpccs/62026-03-10T12:00:00ZThe Select Board voted to tentatively endorse the FY27 operating budget contained in the draft warrant. Board members noted that final union contract numbers and healthcare figures are still pending and could prompt a revised vote. Outcome: Select Board voted 3-1-1 to support Article 6 (one member opposed, one abstaining).Select Board, Tue, Mar 10: Budget preview and free cash allocationhttps://southborough.info/topics/4qfPD1Qpccs/12026-03-10T12:00:00ZFinance staff presented minor updates to the FY27 revenue cap and proposed capital funding from free cash. Four capital purchases totaling approximately $700,000, including police vehicles and Department of Public Works trucks, were proposed to be funded via free cash to allow ordering before the start of the fiscal year. Outcome: Informational update discussed jointly with the Advisory Committee.Personnel Board, Tue, Mar 10: Employee concerns over budget cuts and staffinghttps://southborough.info/topics/MH85yg5K1Mk/02026-03-10T12:00:00ZDuring public comment, a town employee addressed the board regarding Select Board budget discussions that included potential hiring freezes or the elimination of Salary Administration Plan positions. The speaker noted that non-union staff feel vulnerable and that employee morale is low. The chair responded that while the Personnel Board has not been involved in discussions about staff cuts and is bound by the plan's framework, members planned to raise the topic of staff morale during their joint presentation with the Select Board later that evening.