Town of Aberdeen adopts FY 2025–26 budget with 6% COLA and no tax-rate increase

The Town of Aberdeen board approved the fiscal year 2025–26 budget at a special call meeting following a public hearing. The mayor moved to approve the budget “as presented,” a committee member seconded, and the board adopted the budget by voice vote.

The budget keeps the town tax rate at $0.42 and, according to the staff presentation, includes an across‑the‑board 6% cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA) for town employees plus a targeted market pay increase for police this year. Staff emphasized retention measures already in place — including an ongoing retention bonus and changes to longevity and vacation policies — and framed the COLA and targeted adjustments as competitive responses to regional pay markets.

Utility and service fee changes are limited. Garbage collection rates will rise to reflect county landfill increases (residential: +$1.00/month; commercial: +$0.50/month). The town plans no change to basic water/sewer base rates but will increase volume charges to match county adjustments (presented as roughly 5–6% county increase plus 1% town growth). Staff said these changes are intended to cover higher capital and operating costs rather than expand services.

Capital priorities cited in the presentation include a planned paving of the full trail around the lake (staff estimate roughly $250,000, depending on bids), several cybersecurity investments, public safety equipment (vehicle leases, firearm replacements and a drone upgrade), building-and-grounds maintenance budgeted in aggregate at about $1 million, and major water infrastructure work. The SCADA/monitoring system replacement for water production was presented at approximately $550,000–$650,000, with some additional funds coming from other special project accounts. The Bethesda line replacement project was flagged as having grown from an initial ~$600,000 estimate to roughly $2,000,000 due to inflationary increases.

Staff reported a change in employee health insurance: Aetna exited the league insurance pool, and the town will join a new insurance pool administered with Blue Cross Blue Shield as the carrier. The presenter said the town paid a one‑time buydown to lower premiums for the first renewal year and expects smaller increases thereafter.

The presentation also raised an intergovernmental funding question for library staffing: staff said the county has committed to funding half of a full‑time library position (presented in the budget as a $35,000 town share and a $35,000 county share) and that the board is seeking clarification because the county contribution appeared larger than what other municipalities receive. Staff said they will continue to engage county officials before final staffing decisions and that the town could absorb the cost if county funding does not materialize.

The budget ordinance includes a fee schedule with minor adjustments to planning, zoning and building‑inspection fees. During the public hearing, department heads answered technical questions (for example, which fire engine would receive added equipment and how replaced vehicles are reassigned or surplused). After closing the public hearing, the board moved, seconded and approved the budget by voice vote; the recording notes only a voice “Aye” and “Motion carries,” and no individual vote tallies were specified in the transcript.

The mayor closed the hearing and the public‑hearing portion of the special call meeting was adjourned. The budget ordinance takes effect as adopted by the board.