Frequently Asked Questions: FY 2026 Override -> Questions 5 - 8

Frequently Asked Questions - shared from the Town of Franklin FY 2026 Override Information page. There are 40 and a form to ask another question if it is not already listed there -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/Faq.aspx?TID=41

5.What does the override get us? Where does the $3,862,672 million go? 

The $3,862,672 will be used to fix the structural deficit. This funding allows the Town to maintain “Level Service”, meaning the same staffing and expenses as the current fiscal year. 

The two minor exceptions:

• One administrative assistant request by the elected Board of Assessors. Half of this request was offset by the elimination of a part-time position in town Human Resources. 
• Eight restored FPS positions that were cut in the FY25 budget for Account 300 Franklin Public Schools. 

Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) at 2.5%: 

• Municipal estimated cost of a $610,000 increase over FY25. 
• School FEA Unit A Cost 2.5% COLA. Estimated $1,381,594 increase over FY25.

Account 300 Franklin Public Schools: $2.9 million increase or a $3.8% over FY25. 

Municipal Line item 910 Benefits Budget:

• Town and school employees and the town will see a health insurance increase of 14.5%. 
• Norfolk County Pension Assessment - $558,045 or 7%, increase over FY25. 
• All municipal health insurance related line items combined to increase 19%.

6.How much would my taxes increase for FY26 (July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026)? 

Based on the FY25 Tax Rate of $11.62 and the FY25 Certified Median Single Family House Value of $679,449, a $3,862,672 million override would increase the average residential tax bill $312.00 for the FY26 tax year, in addition to the normal annual increase allowed under Proposition 2 ½. The average tax bill increase in FY25 was $226 (current fiscal year). Prop 2 ½ combined with the $3,862,672 override results in a $538 increase annually.

The actual increase for each homeowner is based on the assessment for the home. You can also use the calculator on the Department of Revenue (DOR) website to perform calculations. 

Disclaimer: The FY26 tax rate is not established until November/December of 2025. The Board of Assessors will not have an actual dollar figure on the baseline Proposition 2 ½ figure until the tax rate is established. Projecting data on a tax rate establishment in 8 or 9 months is not advantageous. Staff use FY25 to illustrate the tax impact on families and households to offer a more accurate projection of their property tax increases with an override.

7.When will this increase be reflected on my tax bill? 

The new tax rate is not set until December 2025. If an override passes on June 3, 2025, preliminary tax bills will go out in the summer and fall of 2025 and actuals will be reflected on the January 2026 and April 2026 tax bills. These bills will reflect the override increase plus 2.5%.  

8.How much would my taxes increase after FY26? 

After Fiscal Year 2026, annual increases would again be limited by Proposition 2 ½, but the override amount would be included in the new baseline.

Additional info can be found on the Town FY 2026 Override page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/1089/Fiscal-Year-2026-Override-Information

Frequently Asked Questions: FY 2026 Override -> Questions 1 - 4