Middlebury budget challenges loom

MIDDLEBURY — Anticipated increases in wages and various insurance policies are expected to add $245,800 to a fiscal year 2021 Middlebury municipal budget that is still a blank canvas. Middlebury Town Manager Kathleen Ramsay brought that sobering financial news to the selectboard on Aug. 27. She noted the $245,800 in increases amounts to 2.6 cents on the municipal tax rate, which the board recently set at 80.2 cents per $100 in property value. Fiscal year 2021 will run from July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021. Ra … (read more)

VERGENNES — In the aftermath of June’s chaotic public debate about police spending that sparked during the city’s budgeting process, the Vergennes City Council at its Aug. 27 meeting agreed to get an early start on a methodical approach to next year’s bud … (read more)