05/05/2008 Annual Town Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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I M EXPLANATION OF LINE ITEM CHANGES OF GREATER THAN $50,000 •,p t Nts AND FINANCE COMMITTEE COMMENTS. A FinCom Comment Note A: In last year's FinCom Report, it was strongly recommended that the Board of Selectmen and the Town Manager place a high priority on implementing the organizational re-structuring of the departments along the lines suggested in the Charter. The Finance Committee is pleased to have recently reviewed a report prepared by a sub- committee called by the Town Manager which made its recommendations for an organizational . re-structuring. Prior to being presented for consideration at Town Meeting, however, two public hearings are required which could not be scheduled before the May Town Meeting. These hearings will be held after the May meeting, and it is anticipated that the recommended organizational structure will be presented at the Town Meeting in October. t During the FY 09 fiscal year, the Finance Committee would like: +' • A more comprehensive 3-5 year projection of revenues and expenses. • A close follow-up and coordination between the town departments and the Wampanoag Tribe as the tribe establishes itself as a sovereign nation. • Over the past 2 budget years the cost of the medical insurance benefits has increased by almost $1 million. In the past year the administration has had some success transferring employees and retirees who are over 65 to Medicare for their primary medical coverage and is providing employees 4 medical plan options which are less costly,but which have equivalent benefits. However, the administration needs to keep close control of these costs, and continue to seek less costly alternatives in an attempt to try to contain these sky-rocketing costs. • The Finance Committee continues to be very concerned with the unfunded pension and medical benefit costs and recommends a plan be developed to begin to address this concern. j �a FinCom Comment Note B: Due to the increasing need for information technology hardware, software and support, the ` Finance Committee anticipates that costs will grow in the future. There is need to continuously ii review the current infrastructure and support to insure appropriate cost controls while remaining responsive to the need for efficient technology. The Finance Committee also suggests a review of the School Department's Information Technology and the town's Information Technology staffs with a goal to combine tasks at the management level thereby eliminating a duplication v•� ';+, of future expenses for technology and staffing structure, as needs increase. Budget Note 1: Department of Information Technology(+$82,869) The portion ortion of the increase is due to the re-assignment and promotion of the Assistant ' J � Planner in the Planning Department artment to the position of GIS Coordinator in the IT office, along' with salary adjustments granted the two departmental employees. Expenses are increasing by 1 $8,700,which includes $5,000 for hardware supplies. Note that the budget of the Planning Department is almost $40,000 less than in FY 08, in large part, because the Assistant Planner Position is not being filled. 11 j