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9 <br /> Finance Committee <br /> Minutes <br /> March 21, 2019 <br /> APPOINTMENTS & HEARINGS <br /> Public Hearing—Fiscal Year 2020 Operating Budget submitted by Town Manager: (continued) <br /> Members of the working group indicated to the Town Manager,the report is comprised of <br /> findings of potential opportunity areas and the review of trends to which the working group felt a <br /> discussion was needed to ensue to obtain clarification. <br /> There was deep concern from the Finance Director regarding the document produced by the <br /> Finance Committee working group. As a taxpayer, the document now available as public record, <br /> and as it is presented, it gives the perception the budget can easily be reduced by $1 million. As <br /> the Finance Director for the Town of Mashpee, the Town is in a highly rated financial position. <br /> In the budget process which is finely reviewed to bring forth the most optimum decision for the <br /> taxpayer, there are practices and benchmarks to adhere to with respect to the outlook to maintain <br /> the level of services the Town is accustomed to receiving. <br /> For the record, Dawn Thayer, Finance Director urged the public to not accept the <br /> recommendation of the Finance Committee working group. <br /> In response, it was affirmed the document prepared by the working group is comprised of <br /> potential opportunities, and it is not a recommendation. <br /> There was disappointment the working group did not include the Town Manager and Finance <br /> Director in their discussions. <br /> To adhere to posting requirements it is necessary for the Board of Selectmen to execute the May <br /> 6, 2019 Town Meeting warrant which includes the Omnibus Budget at their March 25, 2019 <br /> meeting. <br /> For the record, Town Manager Rodney C. Collins expressed major concerns to the document <br /> produced by the Finance Committee working group. <br /> Richard York, Director of Natural Resources (DNR) indicated the current management <br /> philosophy of the Town has resulted in achieving the status of a AAA bond rating which in turn, <br /> saves the Town a great deal of funds. The DNR is noted to be conservative and regularly returns <br /> turnbacks. In the 90's,this budget was severely reduced. The budget could not provide mission <br /> crucial functions, and required reserve fund expenditures. Mr. York indicated that water quality <br /> is worsening and the Town is legally required to clean the waters. On the Cape,there are a lot of <br /> impacts with respect to wastewater, which includes the economy and tourism. The shellfish <br /> component, an adaptive management approach to the wastewater initiative is major component <br /> of wastewater and it is going to represent a considerable savings in the future. <br /> Finance Committee <br />