Arlington's Annual Financial Report Now Available

ARLINGTON, MA—The town of Arlington released its 2015 Fiscal Year (FY) Public Annual Financial Report (PAFR), which gives a snapshot into the current financial climate of the town.

According to the PAFR, 76.52 percent or $105,285,021 of the town's $137,587,937 in revenues came from property taxes. The town spend 36.87 percent of its total revenues on the school department, 22.81 percent on municipal departments and 17.48 percent on non-departmental expenses(healthcare and pensions.)

In FY 2016, the town projects both revenue and expense increases of 3.5 percent, with the largest revenue increases coming from free cash. The town also projects a 14.8 percent decrease in School Construction Aid.

Arlington is also projecting a 5.9 percent increases in expenses related to the Minuteman School, and a 16.4 percent increase in expenses related to warrant articles.

Arlington's single-family tax bill average was $7,306 in FY 2015, which exceeds the state-wide average of $5,214 by 40 percent. However, Arlington saw an average new growth in property taxes (1.41 percent)that was below the state average of 1.77 percent by more than .3 percentage points.

In FY 2015, Arlington added rooftop solar panels at six Arlington schools, as well as completed the Central Fire Station renovations.

Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine was not immediately available for comment. You can view the full PAFR here.