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Select Board reviews FY27 budget outlook as health insurance costs climb; approves Select Board budget lines
Summary
Board received FY27 budget updates showing a preliminary ~9.98% health insurance increase for the West Suburban Health Group, discussed carryforwards of roughly $4.2M, and approved General Government and Public Safety budget lines.
The Wellesley Select Board discussed FY27 budget pressures and voted to approve Select Board budget lines after hearing that health insurance is anticipated to rise nearly 10 percent.
Chief Financial Officer Rachel DeRoche told the Board preliminary data indicated a roughly 9.98% increase in health insurance costs for West Suburban Health Group communities. She said two insurers had modified formularies to exclude GLP‑1 medications; restoring coverage via a separate rider would increase premiums by an estimated 15.1 percent. For planning, the Executive Director used a 10% health insurance increase in budget calculations.
DeRoche also presented a carryforward analysis showing the town carried forward just over $6.2 million from prior appropriations into FY26, of which about $4.2 million remained unspent and active. Departments identified approximately $61,000 as surplus to return to Free Cash. The Board discussed potential cash capital reductions, the challenge of further cuts to public safety, and whether Free Cash should be applied to close the operating gap.
After discussion, the Board voted 5–0 to approve the Select Board budgets: General Government (including FMD) at $21,576,041 and Public Safety at $17,985,372. Board members emphasized the importance of communicating carryforward status to Town Meeting and continuing to review carryforward balances annually.
Board members also discussed medium‑term strategies to manage health‑care cost growth, including use of reserves and adjustments to OPEB and pension funding, while acknowledging negotiating and programmatic constraints.
