02/04/2021 FINANCE COMMITTEE Minutes

Home Browse Search

5 Finance Committee Minutes February 4, 2021 NEW BUSINESS Presentation from Town Manager Town Manager Rodney C. Collins discussed his recommended budget for Fiscal Year 2022 with the Finance Committee. The $64,924,643 budget represents a 4.80% change from last year. The budget as presented is reflective of a$740,000 decrease from FY22 Departmental Requests. With the exception of the DPW, Transfer Station and Board of Health(vaccines),the budget submittal level funds services and satisfies all contractual obligations. In reviewing the line items associated to the Omnibus Budget it was noted there is a slight increase in the Treasurer/Tax Collector expense budget and slight decreases in the budget of the Town Accountant and Planning Board. The Department of Public Works expense budget was decreased by $212,875 to level fund expenses. The budget of the Tree Warden; $2,000 has been transferred to the DPW expense budget. The School Department budget has been reduced by $229,000. The School Committee will be using School Choice funds as an offset. The School Committee was noted to have voted to accept the Town Manager's FY22 Recommended budget of$23,299,435, a 3.29%change. There is a slight adjustment to the Library expense budget; $0.08% increase. In terms of staffing there are a few positions not funded however, existing positions shall meet contractual obligations. Many of the existing positions are approved by a vote of Town Meeting but not filled due to affordability. The positions remain in que when the funding and the need is supported. If the wastewater project is supported by the citizens,the funds would be deposited into the Town's General Fund to provide for contracted operational costs and associated services for an anticipated expense of$1 in. to $1.5 in. per year. With projected wastewater expenses and during a time of an unforeseen pandemic it was suggested that diligent management and decisions consider budget projections and trends in ensuing years. Finance Director Dawn Thayer indicated that it is difficult to compare the budget to actual comparison figures as there are multiple variations that attribute to revenue assumptions. For an example,Medical Insurance has not increased in two years, several approved positions remain unfilled, and there has been turn-backs of appropriated funds. With the pandemic the turn-backs have been significant. The lock-down of Town Hall from March until May has attributed to cost savings in utilities and other items. Funds were anticipated,but not expended. Budgeting is also conducted in October for July, and it is far better to anticipate more to alleviate a shortfall.