Waitsfield’s proposed budget for the coming fiscal year is up 1.5% over the prior year at $2,115, 419 or an increase of $32,033. The town’s fiscal year runs from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022.
Because there will be no live Town Meeting, all voting for budgets and town officers will take place by Australian ballot. Waitsfield will hold one more public hearing on its budget on January 25. Find Zoom information on the town’s website to participate.
Given the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s budget is aimed at minimizing the impact and increase for taxpayers. The town is able to keep the budget lean due to reduction of $85,000 in annual debt payments, a reduction of almost $7,000 in payroll due to the lack of an extra or 53rd pay period which the prior year’s budget included and a reduction of $15,000 in health insurance costs due to changes in the town’s employees.