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Essex Junction council hears FY27 budget proposal that would raise average household tax by about $118
Summary
City Manager Regina presented a proposed FY27 general fund budget of $12.9 million, a roughly 4% increase over FY26 that the administration says would translate to about $118 more per average household; council closed the public hearing and will consider final warning and ballot dates in coming meetings.
Essex Junction’s City Manager Regina opened the Feb. 11 public hearing on the proposed FY27 general fund and capital budgets, describing a $12.9 million general fund plan that staff say represents about a 4% increase over FY26 and would raise the average household tax bill by roughly $118 (a 4.1% change).
Regina said drivers of the increase include a 4.25% merit salary and wage pool for staff, higher costs tied to renegotiated police department contracts, changes in health‑insurance costs, and the addition of one full‑time position in the assessing office (an increase from 1.7 FTE to 2.0). Personnel costs, she noted, account for about 34% of the city’s budget. Regina also said the FY27 draft includes a $30,000 economic development line and that capital planning transfers were maintained to save for upcoming infrastructure projects.
The manager emphasized the budget is shaped by council direction and ongoing reappraisal work and that enterprise utility rates will be finalized during the enterprise budget process: “What we have for the FY27 proposed budget is 12,900,000,” Regina said. She outlined next steps and dates: staff will bring a draft warning on Feb. 25, final acceptance of the warning is scheduled for March 11, and the annual meeting is set for April 14.
Council members asked clarifying questions but raised no formal changes at the hearing. After public‑hearing comment was closed, the council voted to end the hearing and will take up the budget as a business item on a future agenda for any final adjustments prior to the warning being placed on the ballot.
