FY27 Draft Budget Shows 6.36% Increase, Assessments to Rise for Both Towns

What happened

The Business Manager presented the first draft FY27 budget totaling $52,375,554, a proposed 6.36% increase, driven largely by a 15% rise in health insurance costs and rising utilities/property insurance. Proposed town assessments would increase 6.47% for Harwich and 6.22% for Chatham (potentially 7.6% and 7.17% including middle school project debt).

Why it matters to families

A budget increase of this magnitude with corresponding assessment increases to both member towns has significant financial impact on district operations and town budgets, and was highlighted by community members as a major concern.

The evidence

Monomoy Business Manager Michael MacMillen presented the first draft of the FY27 budget, showing a proposed increase of 6.36%, totaling $52,375,554...Proposed assessments for towns are projected to increase by: 6.47% for Harwich and 6.22% for Chatham, with final numbers potentially rising to 7.6% and 7.17% when including middle school project debt.

The source