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held in May 2014. In its report to the residents, the reserves. The tax collection rate remains above 96%,
<br /> Finance Committee by a 6 — 0 vote recommended which is exceptional given the recent economy. In
<br /> Town Meeting approval of the Town Manager's addition, Mashpee's over-all financial health is
<br /> $52,557,075 budget,an increase of 2.5% from the FY expected to stay quite sound through 2015.
<br /> 2014 final budget, including a 1.8% increase in the
<br /> School Department budget. At the same meeting, the Going into the FY 2016 budget preparations,
<br /> Committee also recommended approval of the Capital indications point to an improving local economy,
<br /> Improvement Committee's budget totaling $626,100 evidenced by expansion activities at Mashpee
<br /> by a 6— 1 vote. Commons,New Seabury and Willowbend,a new elder
<br /> care facility on Rte. 151, as well as continued
<br /> It should be noted that,following the approval of construction activity at the Southport Adult
<br /> the budget,separate Warrant Articles were introduced Community complex. As this Committee participates
<br /> and approved at both the May and October Town in the preparation of the FY 2016 budget, there are a
<br /> Meetings appropriating $524,000 to fund collective number of near and longer term public policy issues
<br /> bargaining agreements with several of the Town's that the Town administration need to address and plan
<br /> employee units, as well as $135,000 to purchase a for:
<br /> "brush breaker" truck for the Fire Department. All of
<br /> these expenditures were approved using available funds The protection of our waterways and water source
<br /> from the Town's surplus balances. continue,as a number of Town agencies actively
<br /> explore the most effective ways of wastewater
<br /> Based on the approved budget,in its report to the treatment, improvements of water quality of our
<br /> residents in May, based on an anticipated increase of ponds and bays,and the funding of the associated
<br /> 2% in total of overall property assessments from 2013 costs.
<br /> to $4,490,000,000, the Finance Committee projected With a significant increase in the cost of
<br /> an increase in the municipal tax rate of $0.10 to household waste disposal, there is a need to
<br /> $9.30/$1,000 of assessed property value. However, continue to examine different and more cost
<br /> when the final tax rate was struck by the Town
<br /> Assessor in December,due to an actual 4.05%increase effective methods to control the future costs of
<br /> household waste collection and disposal. The
<br /> in the total of property assessments(rather than the 2% Board of Selectmen has appointed a Waste
<br /> Management increase projected by the Finance Committee in Maent Committee to study the Town to
<br /> March),the final tax rate for the year came in at$9.11/ Mashpee's m options and make a recommendation
<br /> of
<br /> $1,000 of assessed value, rather than the $9.30 rate in the near future.
<br /> projected by the Finance Committee in May. The
<br /> difference was a result of a decision by the Governing There is an on-going need to explore alternative
<br /> Body not to tax to the allowable tax levy limit set by methods to control the cost of municipal
<br /> Proposition 2!6, and to apply additional available government while promoting non-property tax
<br /> revenues toward the non-property tax revenues. revenues in order to maintain a stable property tax
<br /> rate.
<br /> From the Finance Committee's perspective,one And there is a need to provide sufficient fund
<br /> of the positive aspects of the year was the continued balance reserves to off-set losses of non-property
<br /> and much improved relationship with the School tax revenues,including increasing the funds in the
<br /> Committee and the current Superintendent of Schools, tax stabilization fund to at least the statutory
<br /> Brian Hyde. This was most evident during the minimum of 10%of the annual municipal budget,
<br /> preparation of the FY 2015 budget with open or approximately $5,000,000 and to set aside
<br /> communication contributing a mutually agreeable added funds to off-set future costs associated with
<br /> School budget for the fiscal year that began in July of unfunded liabilities resulting from continued
<br /> 2014. obligations to fund health benefits to retired
<br /> In January 2014, Mashpee's bond rating was employees.
<br /> upgraded to the highest possible level of"AAA" by Finally, volunteer service to a community is a
<br /> Standard&Poor's which,as stated in their report,was desirable and essential component of municipal
<br /> due to high-end new growth,strong management and government. Any resident of Mashpee who has
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