Finance Committee approves 2027 budget with significant insurance cost increases
Finance Committee · Meeting of March 16, 2026
Deerfield Finance Committee recommends 2027 budget with substantial cost increases in health insurance and retirement contributions. The committee recommended Group Insurance-Town at $613,255, a 13.13 percent increase; Group Insurance-School at $1,102,846, an 8.23 percent increase; and Franklin County Regional Retirement at $766,440, up 8.89 percent, reflecting rate increases and the insurance trust's adjustment of deductibles to manage cost growth. After debate over election staffing and the town's building relocation, the Finance Committee amended Town Clerk Salaries to $114,814 to restore Assistant Town Clerk hours to 12.5 per week, with the amendment passing 4-1-0 before the full motion passed unanimously.
The Select Board concurred with all recommendations.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 440 words
Source: the Finance Committee meeting of March 16, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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