From $18 million to $9.4 million and back again: how one line item has shaped Marblehead's budget since 2006
2006 peak
$18M
Before joining the Group Insurance Commission
Post-GIC low
$9.4M
After joining the Group Insurance Commission
FY 2026 budget
$13M
Costs climbing again
Escalation & GIC transition (2006–2009)
Peak year
Post-GIC savings
The plateau (2010–2019)
Costs resume climbing (2020–2026)
Fiscal year
Spending
Year-over-year change
Source: Massachusetts Division of Local Services, Marblehead annual financial reports and town budget documents. Fiscal 2025 and 2026 figures confirmed by Finance Director Aleesha Benjamin.