Hamden approves FY2026 operating budget as advisory committee recommended; residents press concern over county retirement shortfall
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Summary
Town meeting approved the advisory committee’s recommended FY2026 operating budget, $17,782,070, after a presentation of line-item totals and a discussion of a large county retirement assessment.
Hamden town meeting voted to adopt the fiscal year 2026 operating budget as recommended by the advisory committee: $17,782,070 recommended versus $17,812,070 requested by departments.
Doug Boyd, speaking for the advisory committee, described the budget as essentially a level-service plan that includes a recommended 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment for non-union staff, a proposed part-time facilities manager position and additional assessor staffing hours. Advisory reported a stabilization account balance of approximately $1,270,000 and estimated excess levy capacity near $1,300,000; advisory described the operating increase as about $1.2 million, roughly a 7.3% increase in operating expenses before offsetting uses of free cash or stabilization.
Several residents asked detailed questions about large line items. A citizen asked about the county retirement assessment of roughly $926,000 appearing in the town budget and whether that amount was intended to reduce the retirement system's unfunded liability. In response (town staff and advisory), officials said the assessment is an actuarial assessment from the Hampden County Retirement Board based on the town's payroll. They noted the retirement system is underfunded and that the state has imposed surcharges and a schedule to address the liability over time; one resident said the county retirement system is funded at about 54% and required catch-up payments are being phased in through the statutory schedule.
The budget motion carried by majority vote after advisory’s favorable recommendation; the moderator noted the town meeting remains the town’s principal budgetary decision-making body and encouraged continued civic participation.
Background: advisory said the recommended budget is level service except for the specific new staffing changes and the proposed 2.5% COLA for non-union staff. The budget vote included standard appropriations across general government, public safety, schools and capital lines.