8/26/1997 FINANCE COMMITTEE Minutes

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WARRANT ANALYSIS TOWN OF MASHPEE FINANCE COMMITTEE ANNUAL TOWN MEETING MONDAY,OCTOBER 6,1997 AT 7:30 P.M. MASHPEE MIDDLE SCHOOL This is the Finance Committee's recommendation to the Town's citizens on the Town Meeting Artistes, as required under the local bylaws The Finance Committee's mandate is to act as the fiscal watchdog of the community and,as such,has made serious inquiry and analysis of various articles and our recommendations are found below. The guiding policy of the Finance Committee is to ensure that the Town lives within Proposition 2-112. Most Departments have successfully submitted budgets which have stayed within this guideline. Those Departments whose proposed budgets exceed the Town's"Proposition 2-M Policy"must be required by the voters of our Town to exercise fiscal responsibility and scrupulously justify any excess increase. In Article 9,the Finance Committee has approved the application of a minimum of$1,500,000 for tax relief,•even so,the Tax Rate will increase by almost 696. Next year's tax rate increase could be astronomical unless all depw*nents live within Proposition 2-112. Finallywe must vieorously resist any attempt by any Department of this Town to seek an override to Proposition 2-112 to fund their oneradne budeet In view of the constraints of living within Proposition 2-1/2,it is essential to have all money articles put together in one forum,that is,the Spring Town Meeting, so that an accurate picture of expenditures can be had and informed decisions made atone time. Accordingly, we oppose Article Numbers 3, 8, and 22. Where the Finance Committee takes no position on an Article,it is because the Article has no material impact on the town's finances Article 1. To see if the Town will vote to raise and Article 3. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds the sum of appropriate or transfer from available funds the sum of $522.90 to pay previous fiscal year unpaid bills as follows: $9,225 to the Watershed Management Expense Account, Maxrn Consulting$192.00;Woodbine,P.C. $184.00; or take any other action relating thereto. (Submitted by Kathleen Soares$105.57;True Value$41.33;or take any the Board of Selectmen) other action relating thereto. (Submitted by Town Accountant) Explanation:This article seeks funds to conduct an educational program for Town residents regarding water Explanation: Approval of this article is necessary to pay quality and watershed management issues to help protect for outstanding bills submitted by various departments water quality in our community. atter the close of the previous year. Finance Committee does not recommend approval. Finance Committee recommends approval Article 4. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate and Article 2. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate and transfer$30,000 from the Waterways Improvement transfer$25,000 from the overlay surplus account to the Account to the Waterways Maintenance Account,or take Assessors'Revaluation Account,or take any other action any other action relating thereto. (Submitted by the relating thereto. (Submitted by Board of Assessors) Harbormaster) Explanation:These funds are for the purpose of ongoing Explanation:This article seeks to place funds in the and triennial revaluation of the Town. Mashpee hires waterways maintenance account for replacing marine consultants to value commercial/industrial and personal equipment in the Harbormaster Department. property. Mashpee is due for recertification by the Massachusetts Dein.of Revenue in fiscal year 1999. Finance Committee recommends approval because this is a transfer from revenues generated by the Finance Committee recommends approval Commission itself in its revolving account which is dedicated to this purpose