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Kingston officials flag $1.04 million pension MMO, 12.9% health-care hike and rec center repair needs in 2026 budget preview
Summary
Administrator Sondra Riviello told council the Town of Kingston’s Minimum Municipal Obligation for 2026 totals $1,043,237 (Fire $279,103; Police $514,399; Nonuniform $249,795), health-care premiums are rising 12.9% and rec center gym doors need replacement; she said she will meet with department heads to seek savings and review the draft capital and operating budgets.
Town of Kingston officials on Oct. 20 were briefed on multiple budget pressures heading into 2026, including a $1,043,237 Minimum Municipal Obligation (MMO) to pension funds and a double-digit increase in health insurance premiums.
Administrator Sondra Riviello said the MMO figure — provided by pension fund managers — represents a $28,000 increase from the prior year and is broken down as Fire pension $279,103; Police pension $514,399; and Nonuniform municipal employees $249,795. Riviello said the addition of a police officer to the roster contributed to part of the increase and that she will meet with department heads to explore possible cost-saving adjustments.
Riviello also told council that the Municipality’s health-care plan premium renewal for 2026 will increase by 12.9 percent. She noted that other groups in the co-op are seeing increases between roughly 17 and 20 percent and said she has identified one plan variation that, with a slight tweak, could save about $32,000; she plans further review with department heads before any changes are made.
On capital needs, council received a draft 2026 Capital Budget and department documentation. Riviello said a summer walk-through of the pool and recreation center showed the gymnasium doors are beyond repair and will need replacement; she is awaiting price estimates to include in the capital budget.
Riviello said updates on the budget, health-plan options and estimated capital costs will be provided to council as they become available. The minutes record that labor-relations legal counsel will review contract language related to pending AFSCME negotiations, which have a follow-up meeting scheduled for Nov. 7 but do not record any formal action on the budget during the work session.
