HomeMy Public PortalAbout12-07-2010 BFO report draft policy guidelinesTown of Watertown
Committee of the Budget & Fiscal Oversight
Reports of the Meetings of November 29 and December 6, 2010
December 7, 2010
The Committee convened on November 29, 2010 at 7 pm. Present at the meeting were Vincent
Piccirilli, chair; Angie Kounelis, vice -chair; Cecilia Lenk, secretary; Town Manager Michael Driscoll,
and Town Auditor Tom Tracy. Also attending was Charlie Brietrose, Watertown Patch.
The purpose of the meeting was to develop the FY2012 Budget Policy Guidelines. Five councilors
(President Mark Sideris and Councilors Susan Falkoff, Tony Palomba, Steve Corbett, and Cecilia Lenk)
submitted written suggestions to the committee for consideration.
The Committee reviewed each of the sections of the FY2011 Budget Policy Guidelines: Financial
Policies; Ongoing Budget Practices; Cost-Savings/Revenues; Program Enhancements/Expenditures; and
Budget and Financial Monitoring. The input received from members of the Council and the discussion
of each section is summarized in the FY2012 Budget Policy Guidelines worksheet attached to this
report. To complete its work, the Committee requested further information from the following: Tom
Tracy regarding options on retirement and other benefits for new hires (LC); Raeleen Parsons and Steve
Magoon regarding status of the ESCO agreement (III.A), Steve Magoon regarding a standardized
system of impact fees (III.D) and a Comprehensive Master Plan for the town (IV.F); Steven Ward
regarding the social worker/community health outreach worker (IV.C); and Susan Falkoff regarding
clarification of one of her suggestions.
The Committee agreed that the Chair would prepare a draft of the FY2012 Policy Guidelines for
discussion at its next meeting. The meeting adjourned at 9 pm.
The Committee reconvened on December 6 at 6:30 pm. Present at the meeting were Vincent Piccirilli,
chair; Angie Kounelis, vice -chair; Cecilia Lenk, secretary; Councilor Steve Corbett; Town Manager
Michael Driscoll; Town Auditor Tom Tracy; Director of Community Development & Planning Steve
Magoon; and Treasurer/Collector Phyllis Marshall.
The Committee discussed the draft of the FY2012 Budget Policy Guidelines prepared by the Chair, and
the requested information it had received from Mr. Tracy, Mr. Magoon, Mr. Ward, and Councilor
Falkoff.
After further discussion and editing, the Committee recommended unanimously to present the final
FY2012 Budget Policy Guidelines (attached) to the full Council for approval at the December 7th
meeting.
The Committee also reviewed the final Melanson Heath & Co FY2009 Single Audit Report, provided
by Mr. Tracy, which was an open item from the November 23rd Council meeting. The Committee found
the report satisfactory, and recommended unanimously that the frill Council accept this document.
The meeting adjourned at 8 pm.
Prepared by Cecilia Lenk
Watertown's FY2012 Budget Policy Guidelines
Submitted to the Town Council for Approval
December 7, 2010
The Town Council is adopting these budget policy guidelines pursuant to Section 5-1 of the Watertown
Home Rule Charter. Based on these guidelines, the Town Manager will develop budgetary goals and the
Town budget for Fiscal Year 2012.
I. FINANCIAL POLICIES
A. Unreserved fund balance: In order to respond to emergencies and other unanticipated needs,
preserve financial flexibility, and maintain favorable bond ratings, the Town should seek to
maintain an unreserved fund balance (including stabilization funds) equal to 7-10% of the
annual operating budget. The Council and the Town Manager will work to develop a formal
multi -year policy on the unreserved fund balance, including the use of free cash if the
unreserved fund balance is above the 7-10% target.
B. Capital Expenditures: In order to maintain and improve its infrastructure, facilities, and
equipment, the Town should seek to make annual capital expenditures (exclusive of
enterprise finds) equal to at least 7.5-8% of the operating budget.
C. Pension Liability and Other Post Employment Benefits: In order to achieve long -term
financial stability and meet the Town's obligations to its employees and retirees, the Council,
the Retirement Board and Town Manager will work to address the Town's unfunded pension
liability and other post -employment benefits (OPEB). Establish dialog with Retirement
Board and State representatives to consider options for pension reforms for new hires.
II. ONGOING BUDGET PRACTICES
In preparing the budget for FY12 and future years, the Town Manager should continue to use the
following budget practices:
A. Continue the Town's efforts within all departments to obtain grant funding from federal,
state, and other sources, including the use college interns.
B. Continue to analyze the Town's charges for licenses, permits, penalties, and fees to
determine whether they should be increased or new ones instituted, while adhering to the
principal that fees should not exceed the cost of services provided.
C. Review the possibilities and cost implications of contracted services vs. staffing in various
departments.
Page 1 of 3
D. Support the possibilities of providing more services on a regional or inter -municipal basis in
accordance with the council resolution.
E. All department heads should seek to identify line items within their existing budgets where
costs can be controlled and not increased. Look at other possible scenarios including
spending freezes, level dollar and reduction budgets. Review the use of overtime in each
department and establish consistent Town -wide policies.
F. Continue to enhance the Town's website and use other technologies as cost effective means
of delivering information and services, increasing public awareness, and encouraging public
feedback.
G. Explore cost savings by sharing personnel across Town departments. Work towards merging
or combining the following functions to better serve both Town and School Departments:
facilities management, human resources, finance, and information technology.
III. COST-SAVINGS/REVENUES
The Town Council believes that identification of cost savings and/or new revenues should be a
precondition to additional expenditures. To this end, in developing the FY 12 budget, the Town Manager
should:
A. Move forward with an Energy Services Company (ESCO) agreement to implement plan towards
reducing municipal baseline energy usage by 20% in 5 years. Obtain energy -related grants by
becoming certified under the Green Communities Act.
B. Public safety: Police, Fire and Dispatch together represent the Town's biggest expenditure after
education. Proceed with a Public Safety study to determine how to best deliver the level of
service citizens want, more efficiently.
C. Implement the Town -wide Economic Development Program (including the newly rezoned
Pleasant Street Corridor District), with a long- term goal to increase town revenue. The Program
should include a marketing plan to prospective developers as well as the use of state and federal
grants and redevelopment programs.
D. Explore the feasibility of a standardized system of impact fees for projects subject to site plan
review. Consider mitigation monies for larger scale projects.
E. Actively seek Payment In Lieu Of Taxes (PILOT) agreements with each non-profit organization
owning property in Watertown.
Page 2 of 3
IV. PROGRAM ENHANCEMENTS/EXPENDITURES
To the extent that resources allow, in light of the financial policies stated above, and adhering to the
principle of first identifying cost -savings and/or new revenue, the following program enhancements and,
if necessary, new expenditures should receive priority in the FY12 budget. Education program
enhancements and expenditures should be considered subsequently in light of the recommendations of
the School Committee.
A. Continue the improvement program for the Town's streets and sidewalks, including street trees
and planting strips. Pursue state/federal funding such as the Transportation Improvement
Program (TIP) and School Safety Zone funding to improve traffic and safety. Examine the
staffing structure of the Public Works Department to improve the ability to perform routine
maintenance, complete work order requests in a timely manner, and strengthen the capacity to
supervise contractors.
B. Explore the need and possible Wilding for a social worker/community health outreach worker,
including reaching out to the private sector for funding.
C. Finalize non -municipal re -use of the former branch libraries, and explore the budget implications
for re -use of the former police station
D. Determine the need for and how to fiind future sewer and storm water infrastructure
improvements.
E. Create a Comprehensive Plan for the Town dealing with a broad spectrum of issues, including
development, zoning, and transportation, in order to encourage Town government and its citizens
to work in concert towards common goals. Incorporate all previous resources, such as the
Economic Development Study, the Open Space Plan, the Pleasant Street Corridor District Study,
etc. Include traffic and transportation resources and improvements, and a review of the Zoning
Ordinance.
V. BUDGET AND FINANCIAL MONITORING
A. In order to improve its ability to monitor the implementation of the Town budget, the Town
Council will receive quarterly reports on the revenues and expenditures during the fiscal year.
B. The Town Council will receive a report on the use and balance of monies in the Council reserve
upon each transfer, and a report each month that there is a change in Council expense line items.
C. An early -warning system will be established to alert the Town Council if revenues fall below
projections.
D. The Town Council will receive quarterly updates on progress in addressing the recommendations
in the annual audit report.
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December 6, 2010
W atertown's FY2012 Budget Policy Guidelines Worksheet
The Town Council is adopti ng these budget policy guidelines purs uant to Sectio n 5-1 of the Watertow n Home R ule Charter. Based on these
guidelines, the Town Ma nager will de velop budgetary goals and the Tow n budget for FY12 .
I. FINANC IAL POLICIES
FY11 Guidelin e
Draft FY12 Guideline
Input & Discussio n
I.A . Unreserved fun d balance: In order to respo nd
to emergen cies and other unanticipated ne eds,
preserve financia l flex ibility, and maint ai n
fa vora ble bon d ratings, the To wn should seek to
maintain an u nreserved fu nd balan ce (including
sta biliza tion fun ds) equ al to 7-10% of the annual
ope rating budget. The Coun cil and the Town
Manager will work to develop a formal multi-
year policy on the un reserved fun d balan ce,
in clu ding the u se of free cash if the unreserved
fund balan ce is above the 7-10% target.
No cha nges
FY09 was 6 .62%, F Y10 was 8 .58%
Bonding agencies want to see 7-10% for financial
stability.
Discussed Coun cilor Palomb a's suggestion #1 to
red uce the balance to 5-7%, decided it was not
finan ci ally prudent to spe nd dow n free cash.
I. B. Capital Ex pen ditures: In order to mainta in
and improve its infrastructure, facilities, and
equipmen t, the Town should seek to ma ke annu al
capital ex pen ditu res (exclusiv e of en terprise
funds) equal to at least 7.5-8% of the operatin g
budget.
No changes
F Y10 was 8 .71%, F Y11 is 8 .15%
The curre nt long-term debt is 6.77%.
Discussed Co uncilor Palomba's suggestion #2 to
reduce capit al e xpenditures to 3-5 %, decided it
was n ot fi nancially pr udent to set a goal that
wo uld not allow the Tow n to maint ain its
infrastr ucture .
I. C. Pen sion Lia bility and O ther Po st
Employment Benefits: In o rder to ac hie ve lon g —
term fin ancial stability and meet the Town's
obligations to its employees a nd retirees, the
Council, the R etiremen t Board and To wn
Man ager will work to a ddress the Town 's
u nfun ded pension liability an d other post-
employment benefits (OPEB).
A dd a n ew sentence at the end "Establish dialog
with R etiremen t Board and State represent atives
to conside r o ptions fo r pension reforms for new
hires. "
Our c urre nt pe nsio n liability is $66.5M a nd the
fundi ng schedul e has been e xte nded from 2017 to
2022.
The new OPEB liability study e nding 7/1/10 is
bei ng fi nalized, and further work is needed to set
up an OPEB trust fund.
Disc ussed Co uncilor Corbett's s uggestion #3 a nd
agreed to add that la nguage to this item, modified
per information supplied by the Tow n A uditor .
FY2012 Budget Policy Guideline s Worksheet 12/6/10
Page 1 of 5
II. ONGOI NG BUDGET PRACTICES - In preparing the budget f or FY12 and fut ure ye ars, the Tow n Manager sho uld co nti nu e to us e the following
budget pr actices.
FY11 Guideli ne
Draft F Y12 Guideline
Input & Discussion
ILA. Continue the Town's efforts withi n all
depa rtments to obtain grant fu nding fr om federal,
state, and o ther sources, includi ng the use college
interns.
No ch anges
Councilor Palomba's suggestio n #4a is already
addressed by this item.
II.B. Continu e to analyze the Tow n's ch arges f or
license s, permits, penalties, and fees to determine
whether they shou ld be increased or new ones
in stituted, while adhering to the pri ncipal that
fees shou ld n ot exceed the cost of services
prov ided.
No ch anges
C ouncilor P alomb a's suggesti on #4b is already
addressed by this item.
II. C. Review the possibilities and c ost
implication s of con tracted services vs. staffing in
v arious departmen ts.
No changes
Whil e many opp ortunities h ave already be en
done, dep artments need to c ontinue to e xamine
opport unities for c ost savings by outso urcing .
II .D . Su pport the possibilities and of providing
more serv ices on a regio nal basis in accordance
with the coun cil reso lu tion.
Change to read ".. .o n a regio nal or i nter-
mu nicipal basis ..."
Co uncilor Palomba's suggestio n #5a is already
addressed by this item, but added i nter -municip al.
The Manager requested a new resolutio n to
strengthen his ability d uring neg otiations .
II.E. All departmen t heads shou ld seek to iden tify
line -items within their ex istin g bu dgets where
costs can be controlled and not increased. Look at
other possible scenarios including spending
freeze s, le vel dollar and reduc tion budgets.
Add a new se nte nce at the e nd "Re view the use of
overtime in each dep artment and establish
consiste nt Town -wide policies."
Discussed Councilor Corbett's suggestio n #2 a nd
agreed to add his first se nte nce to this item.
ILF. Continu e to enhance the Town's website as a
cost effectiv e mean s of deliv ering in fo rma tion
and services, incre asing public awaren ess, an d
en cou ragin g public feedback.
Change to read "...Tow n's website a nd use other
technologies as cost effecti ve me ans.. ."
Cou ncilor Lenk s uggested that other tech nologies
be added, such as reverse 911 messages.
New II.G. Explore cost savings by sh aring
personn el across Town departments. Work
towa rds merging or combining the following
functions to better serve both Town and School
Depa rtmen ts: facilities management, huma n
resou rces, fin ance, and in formation techn ology.
Discussed Cou ncilor Corbett's suggestion #1,
Preside nt Sideris' s uggestio n #3, a nd Co uncilor
Falkoff's s uggestion #3 and agreed to add both
these as a new item in sectio n II. Add IT as a
pot ential f unction identified last year.
Disc ussed C ouncilor F alk off's suggesti on #1 as a
new it em in sectio n II, b ut decided there was no
need to make this a specific goal.
FY2012 Budget Policy Guidelines Worksheet 12/6/10
Page 2 of 5
III. COST-SA VINGS/REVEN UES - The Town Council believes that identification of cost sa vings and n ew re ve nues should be a precondition to
additional e xp enditures . To this e nd, in developing the F Y12 budget, the Town Manager sh ould:
FY11 Guideline
Dr aft FY12 Guideli ne
I nput & Discussion
IILA. Complete an e nergy -use baseline in ventory
for municipal buildi ngs, vehicles, and street and
tra ffic lighting and create a pl an to red uce energy
use by 20% in 5 years.
Rewrite as: Move forward with an Energy
Servic es C ompany (ESCO) agreeme nt to
impleme nt plan towards reduci ng mu nicipal
baseline energy us age by 20% in 5 ye ars . Obtai n
energy -rel ated grants by becomi ng certified under
the Gree n Commu nities Act.
Disc ussed Cou ncilor Corbett's s uggestion #4 a nd
agreed to inc orporate into this item.
Add cha nges to reflect becomi ng a " Green
Comm unity" and contracti ng with an ESCO.
Added i np ut from the DCDP Director 011 status .
BIB. Pu blic safety: Police, Fire and Dispatch
together represent the Tow n's biggest
expenditure after education. Exami ne how to
best deliv er the level of service citizens wa nt,
more efficien tly.
Change "E xamine how ..." to "Proceed with a
Public Safety study to determine how..."
Discussed Councilor P alomba's s uggestio ns #3 &
#5c.
Co uncilor Kounelis felt we sh ould m aint ain
existi ng fire & police staffi ng levels, while
Piccirilli and Le nk felt that the p olicy sh ould
specify a le vel of service, not a le vel of staffmg .
Discussed President Sideris' suggesti on #4 and
agreed to add th at language to this item .
III.C. In stitu te a formal To wn -wide Econ omic
D ev elopmen t Program (including the newly
rezoned Pleasant Street Corridor District), with a
lon g- term goal to in crease town reven ue. The
Program shou ld in clu de a marketin g plan to
prospectiv e developers as well as the u se of state
and federal gran ts an d redev elopment programs.
Cha nge "Instit ute a formal.... to "Implement
the..."
Discussed Cou ncilor Corbett's s uggestio n #5.
Since the economic de velopment study is nearing
completio n, cha nge to "impleme nt" .
Reviewed st atus with DCDP Director.
III.D. Explore the fe asibility of a standardized
system of impact fees for projects su bject to site
plan review. Consider mitigation monies for
larger scale projects.
No changes
Reviewed st atus with DCDP Director, a nd there
is pe ndi ng legislatio n on impact fees which may
affe ct this .
New III.E. Activ ely seek Payment In Lie u Of
Taxes (PILOT) agree me nts with each non-profit
organization o wn ing property in Watertown.
C ouncilor Kounelis suggested that implementing
a PIL OT program be added as a revenue item.
Re viewed additio nal informati on on PILOTs
provided by the Tow n A uditor.
FY2012 Budget Policy Guidelines Workshe et 12/6/10
Page 3 of 5
IV. PROG RAM ENH ANCEM ENTS/E XPENDITURES - To the extent that resources allow, in light of the fi nancial policies stated above a nd the
principle of first ide ntifying cost -s avings and new reve nue, the following pr ogram enhanceme nts and, if necessary, new expenditures sh ould recei ve
priority in the FY12 budget. Education program enha nceme nts a nd e xpe nditures sho uld be co nsidered s ubseque ntly in light of the rec omme ndati ons of the
School Committee.
FY11 Guideline
IV. A. Repair and impro ve the Town's streets a nd
sidewalks a nd enha nce its trees a nd planting
strips. Con sideration should be give n to f unding
such repa irs, improvements, and e nha ncements
from a v ariety of sou rces, includi ng t ax reve nues,
debt and a bettermen t program. Strengthen
capacity (including staffing) and carry o ut ro utine
maintenance of the street trees and other trees on
pu blic lan d an d, through the joint efforts of the
Tree Warden an d D epartmen t of Public Works
dev elop a comprehensiv e tree maintenance
/replacement Program.
N. B. Strengthen the Town 's capacity to address
facilities management, through re gular sta ffing or
contract serv ices. The Coun cil and Town
Manager will continu e discussion s on
reorgan iz in g the staffing structure of the Public
Works D epartment to include a fa cilities
man ager/engin eer.
IV .C. Explore the nee d and possible fu ndin g fo r a
social worker/community health ou treach worker,
in clu ding reaching ou t to the private secto r for
fun din g.
IV .D . Explo re the budget implica tions of the re-
use of the former branch libra ries.
N.E. Determine the n eed for an d how to fun d
future sewer and storm water in frastructure
improv ements.
Dr aft FY12 Guideli ne
Rewrite as: Co ntinue the impro vement program
for the Town's streets and sidewalks, incl uding
street trees and planting strips . Pursue
state/feder al funding such as the Tra nsportati on
Impro vement Program (TIP) a nd School Safety
Zo ne fu ndi ng to impro ve traffic and s afety.
E xamine the staffing structure of the Public
Works Department to impro ve the ability to
perf orm routi ne mai nte nance, complete work
order r equests in a timely m anner, and stre ngthen
the capacity to supervise co ntractors.
Delete this it em
No changes
R ewrite as: Finalize non -municipal re -use of the
former bran ch libraries, an d explore the b udget
implications for re -u se of the former police
station .
No changes
Input & Discussio n
Discussed Co uncilor Falkoff s s uggestio n #2, and
the P ublic Works C ommitte e Report 10/12/10
item 2 .b . recommendatio n for additional staff.
The street & sidew alk reconstru cti on program is
seen as a high priority by the public.
Need to address the DPW work order backlog in
all DPW divisio ns, as well as the s upervisio n of
co ntractors for the numer ous projects.
This item has been s ubsumed by items IV .A. and
II .G .
J ail Di versi on/Edinburg FY11 grant has n ot been
re newed for F Y12. He alth Departme nt Director
sees need to address large number of
hoardi ng/condemnation issues.
Discussed C ou ncilor Corbett's suggestion #6,
President Sideris' suggestio n #2, and Co uncilor
Palomba's suggestio n #5b.
Add language to i ncl ude the police station, and
reflect progress on the branch libraries.
Stormwat er Advisory Committee has started to
exami ne this iss ue.
FY2012 Bu dget Policy Guideline s Worksheet 12/6/10
Page 4 of 5
New IV.F . Create a Comprehensi ve Plan for the
Discussed Preside nt Sideris' suggestion #1 a nd
Town de ali ng with a broad spectrum of iss ues,
incl udi ng developme nt, zoni ng, a nd
Council or Lenk's suggestion #1.
This wo uld incorporate all the previous st udies
tra nsportati on, in ord er to enco urage Tow n
that have been do ne .
g over nment a nd its citizens to work in c oncert
Add ed inp ut from the DC DP Director .
towards commo n goals. Inc orp orate all pre vious
Added "tr affic" in last sente nce as s ugg ested by
resources, such as the Eco nomic Developme nt
C ouncilor Corbett.
Study, the Ope n Space Plan, the Pleasa nt Street
Corridor District Study, etc. Include t raffic and
transportation reso urces and improvements, and a
review of the Zo ning Ordinance .
V. BU DGET AN D FINANCIAL MONI TO RING
FY 11 Guideline
Draft FY12 Guideline
I nput & Discussion
V.A. In order to improv e its ability to monitor the
implemen tation of the Town budget, the Town
Cou ncil will receive quarterly reports on the
revenu es and ex pen ditures du ring the fiscal year.
In additio n, the Cou ncil will receiv e mon thly
reports on the use and balance of mo nie s in the
Counc il reserve and other Coun cil personnel and
expen se line items. An early-warnint system will
Chang e s eco nd sentence a nd reformat as three
guidelines:
A. In order to improve its ability to mo nitor the
implementatio n of the Tow n budget, the
Tow n Coun cil will recei ve quarterly reports
on the revenues and expendit ures du ring the
fiscal year.
B. The Town Council will receiv e a r eport on
the use and bala nce of monies in the Council
reserve u pon each transfer, and a report each
month that there is a change in Co uncil
ex pense lin e items.
C. An early -warnin g system will be established
to alert the Town Council if reve nues fall
below projec tions
Council or Palomba's s uggestion #6 is already
addressed by this item.
Discussed changes to the seco nd sentence to
reflect c urre nt practice.
be established to alert the Coun cil if rev enu es fall
below projection s.
V.B. The Town Coun cil will receive quarterly
u pdates on progress in addressing the
recommendation s in the ann ual audit report.
No chan ges, but reformat as V.D .
Councilor Palomba's suggestio n #6 is already
addressed by this item .
FY2012 Budget Policy Guidelines Worksheet 12/6/10
Page 5of5
Proposed Budget Guidelines Input for Fiscal Year 2012
Submitted 11/24/10 by email from Councilor Susan Falkoff
I have a few comments/suggestions:
1. II. add a G: Ongoing evaluation of whether expenditures are furthering the departmental goals.
2. IV. A. delete the phrase about betterment programs since we decided against them. Do we
already now have a comprehensive tree maintenance/replacement program? If so, delete this
language. If not, do we still want this? Are we working toward it?
3. add F. Explore opportunities for cost -savings by sharing personnel across departments.
Submitted 11/19/10 by email from Councilor Cecilia Lenk:
I suggest adding either to IIIC or as a new point under III:
1. Create a Master Plan for the Town that update the Town's zoning to both strengthen
Watertown's neighborhoods and improve our mix of commercial and residential properties.
Submitted 11/24/10 by email from Council President Mark Sideris:
Explore the possibility of the following items:
1. funding a Comprehensive Master Plan for the town
2. hiring a consultant to market vacant town properties
3. combining operations within the School Departments and the Town Departments
4. moving forward with a Public Safety Study
From Public Works Committee Report 10/12/10 item 2.b.
The backlog of Forestry Division work orders was discussed, as was coordination between the Tree
Warden and the DPW. DPW staff and the Tree Warden are content with the coordination, but
implementation Is limited by insufficient staffing to keep up with the volume of tree -related work
orders. The Chair suggested that additional capability in DPW be added as a 2012 budget priority
guideline, and the Committee unanimously voted to recommend it to the committee on Budget and
Fiscal Oversight.
11/24/10
Committee on Budget Policy and Fiscal Oversight
Re: FY12 Budget Policy Guidelines
Following are my suggestions for discussion in developing the FY12 Budget Policy Guidelines:
1. Work towards combining the following functions to better serve both the Town and
the School Department: facilities management, human resources, and finance.
2. Review the use of overtime town -wide and establish a consistent policy. Work
towards eliminating the use of overtime for higher paid employees with management
responsibilities (address union issues as required).
3. Review options for pension benefit reform for new hires. Retain consultant?
4. Seek grant funding to reduce municipal energy consumption. (See III.A.)
5. Focus on implantation strategies of the Economic Development Study (2010/11). (See
III.C.)
6. Explore the budget implications of the re -use of the former police station. (See IV.D.)
Stephen Corbett
Proposed Budget Guidelines are for Fiscal Year 2012
Submitted by Councilor Palomba
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
1) The Town should maintain an unreserved fund balance (including stabilization funds) equal to 5-
7%of the annual operating budget.
2) The Town should develop a capital budget (exclusive of enterprise funds) equal to at least 3-5%
of the operating budget.
3) The Town should maintain the existing personnel for the police and fire departments.
4) In an effort to increase available revenue, the Town should:
a) Apply for federal, state, and foundation grants.
b) Review all Town charges for licenses, permits, penalties and fees to determine if
these should be increased.
5) In an effort to reduce and/or maintain the cost of providing services , the Town should:
a) Under take a concerted effort to provide more services through regionalization or
Inter -municipal agreements, and
b) Conduct a department -wide survey of need for additional physical space to
determine the use of existing used buildings and space.
c) Maintain present personnel level in the fire and police departments.
6) The Town Manager should present quarterly reports on the revenues and expenditures during
the fiscal year and updates on the progress of preparing a Town audit.