Marion budget review addresses past and future spending
From left: Select Board members John Hoagland, Randy Parker and Norman Hills at a Tuesday, Feb. 3 meeting. Photo by Grace Roche
From left: Select Board members John Hoagland, Randy Parker and Norman Hills at a Tuesday, Feb. 3 meeting. Photo by Grace Roche
MARION — Midway through the 2026 fiscal year, Marion officials are reviewing past and future budgets to prepare for rising costs.
Finance Director Heather O'Brien and Finance Committee Chair Sean Healy discussed the 2025 and 2027 budgets at a Tuesday, Feb. 3 Select Board meeting.
During her review of last year’s budget, O'Brien reported the town earned a surplus for the general and water enterprise funds. With lower expenses than revenue, the general fund had a $2.7 million surplus and the water fund surplus was about $300,000.
Looking toward next year’s budget, town officials said costs have significantly increased due to nondiscretionary spending — essential costs the town cannot eliminate — along with inflation and higher costs of services.
Insurance costs are particularly high, with general and health insurance rates rising significantly since the last budget.
Town Administrator Geoffrey Gorman said the town has worked to reduce costs when possible by revisiting longstanding contracts and renegotiating when possible.
The budget is in a preliminary stage, and Gorman said he requested department heads estimate their expenses for the year to determine the town’s financial needs.
“Currently, the budget as requested totals $32 million,” O’Brien said. “Right now, between estimated revenues and the budget, we're looking at a $1 million variance to balance it.”
