2/27/2020 FINANCE COMMITTEE Minutes

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3 Finance Committee Minutes February 27, 2020 APPOINTMENTS & HEARINGS Rodney C. Collins—Review of Town Manager's Recommended FY21 Budget: (continued) To alleviate any concerns regarding the Town Managers budget, Rodney C. Collins offered comment regarding the respective departmental areas as follows; With regards to the Legal/Engineering/Consulting budget administered through the Selectmen's Account, there was a question with regards to the proposed $85,000 increase. It was explained there is little control over litigation, and ample funding,is required to make adjustments when necessitated. This budget cannot be underfunded. Additional funds in the FY21 budget are proposed to finance legal matters on behalf of the Town of Mashpee to support the interest of the Tribe, and to fund unanticipated expenditures associated to this account. For clarification purposes, there is no apparent litigation with respect to the matter of the cell tower. When appropriate the Town conserves its legal expenditures and returns any unexpended funds. Regarding the funding of the Annual Town Report, it was affirmed it is the responsibility of the Selectmen to subsidize the $5,000 outlay. The Finance Committee is obligated to fund the Finance Committee Report for the May and October Town Meetings. By Charter, the report is mailed to every head of household in the Town of Mashpee. The cost is approximately $20,000. This includes the postage and printing of the report distributed to 7,680 households with additional booklets made available for the respective May and October Town Meetings. The Human Resource budget was placed on hold to obtain further information on actual spending including the cost of examinations. It was disclosed Human Resource budget funds the Police and Fire examinations which are required physical and other examinations associated to the Hiring Process for employment. The Fire Department has also changed vendors due to best practices. A hold was placed on the Town Hall Expense budget. Expenses have increased as a result of cost projections associated to energy. Energy expenses include general utility costs for both the Town Hall and Archives buildings. Town Hall expenses support lease and maintenance/service agreements for the copiers and postage machines as well as the purchase of office supplies for all departments absent of the Schools. Legal advertising for Town Departments and the printing of the warrants derive from this account. Costs associated to advertisement have increased substantially. Postage is also included with the exception of the Schools. The Town pool of vehicles is assumed under this line item to provide for maintenance, repairs and fuel expenses.