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Bel Air town administrator presents balanced FY2027 budget; health‑insurance costs jump
Summary
Town Administrator Hopkins presented a balanced FY2027 proposed budget April 6. The proposal includes a 20% increase in health‑insurance costs (after broker negotiations), no tax increases, additions for a part‑time code‑enforcement officer, capital projects including a refuge truck and street resurfacing, and seed funding for a bike pump‑park.
Town Administrator Hopkins presented the town’s proposed fiscal year 2027 budget to the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners on April 6 and described it as balanced despite late increases in health‑insurance costs.
“My health care cost this fiscal year will escalate to 20% as of today,” Hopkins said, adding that the number had originally been estimated at 25% before negotiations with the insurance broker. The budget was prepared with the town paying 95% and employees paying 5% of premiums, and the employer HSA contribution for employees was reduced from 35% to 25% of the deductible in the proposal.
Hopkins said highway‑user revenues were lower than earlier projections, but the town benefited from a reduced workers’ compensation mod rate. The proposed budget contains line items and highlights including:
• $138,573 for continuity‑of‑operations after‑action items related to a New Year’s Eve power outage.
• A part‑time code‑enforcement position (24 hours/week) in planning to focus on property‑maintenance violations.
• $175,000 to continue a partnership with the county for a comfort station at the MPA William Street trailhead (projected completion spring/early summer subject to estimates).
• $300,000 budgeted for a new refuse truck and $374,000 for street resurfacing, curbing and guttering (target streets listed in budget materials).
• $50,000 for a Verata Command Connect surveillance/command‑and‑control upgrade and $10,000 for disc‑golf expansion.
Hopkins recommended a 2.9% cost‑of‑living/merit increase across the board and a 3% increase in town‑provided retiree health‑benefit contributions. He told commissioners the proposal avoids tax increases or service cuts and outlines multiple budget work sessions and hearing dates through May.
The board voted to receive the proposed budget, triggering the scheduled sequence of work sessions and public hearings leading to tentative and final adoption.
