Policy board adopts balanced FY2627 operating budget, approves 3% staff COLA

The policy board adopted its FY2627 operating budget after a brief presentation from staff, approving a plan staff described as balanced with roughly $11.1 million in proposed revenues and about $11.0 million in proposed expenditures. The board approved the budget by voice vote with no recorded oppositions.

Staff said the budget "is balanced" and "maintains our current services and programs," and noted it preserves the organization's current dues structure with a $3,000 base assessed to member towns. The presentation said local dues constitute less than 10% of total revenue and that the largest revenue sources are federal grants, followed by state grants and fees for service. Staff also told the board it proposes a general wage increase of 3% for regular staff for the coming year; merit increases will be limited and some market adjustments will be made where appropriate.

Program-level highlights the presentation named included transportation planning (roughly $4.5 million proposed next year, largely for planning personnel and studies), regional planning and development (about $1.4 million, with a focus on brownfield work and implementation of the state housing bill), and public safety and homeland security (about $1.6 million, funded largely by public health and homeland security grants). Staff also noted the organization received the GFOA budget award for the current year.

Board members who spoke praised the staff for preparing a sustainable budget and moved to adopt the plan. The board's action was a voice vote; the minutes record affirmations and that no members opposed adoption. The transcript does not supply a roll‑call tally by name.

Next steps: staff indicated the budget will be implemented for the coming fiscal year and that any future adjustments (including a potential dues change) would be reviewed by the Personnel and Finance Committee before recommendation to the board.