YORK, Maine — Just six weeks after voters approved the town’s fiscal year 2021 budget, local leaders have begun discussing their plans for fiscal year 2022.
Although there is still a lot of uncertainty around what impacts the COVID-19 pandemic will have in coming months, Town Manager Steve Burns said York’s finances seem to be in relatively good shape for now.
"After one month, which is about 8.33% of the fiscal year, non-property tax revenues are at 12.57%," Burns said during a meeting of the Board of Selectmen Monday. "That’s a pretty good thing."
The extra revenue is directly attributable, Burns said, to the higher revenue the town expects to receive during the summer from seasonal spikes in items, such as parking revenues and parking tickets.
"You want to stay ahead of the fiscal year on revenues, and you want to stay behind it on expenses," he said.
Property tax bills are not due for another month, so it is too early to know how property taxes are coming in, Burns said. "It is something we’re watching with great interest," he said.
"Right now, all I can tell you is things look OK on the revenue side," he added.
On the expense side, with 8.33% of the year gone, Burns said it would be unrealistic to expect expenses to be at or less than that number. "It’s summer, the first month, we’re never behind that," he said. "We’re spending all our money."
Buildings, grounds and beaches account for a substantial part of that spending, as well as the programming that falls under the Parks and Recreation Department. Bond payments, which fall unevenly through the year, also drive those cost centers, Burns said.
"My basic read is that we’re doing exactly what we should be doing right now," he added.
Later in the meeting, the selectmen turned their attention to the fiscal year 2022 operating budget. Because he expects a significant reduction in state revenues, Burns asked the board to begin thinking about what directions and instructions they will give him.
"Already I’m worried about next year," Burns said, noting with the coronavirus-delayed election on July 14, this year’s budget was just approved a few weeks ago.
After a discussion regarding the costs associated with the technology changes anticipated in the town offices, including IT support and the challenges associated with automation and increased online processes, Burns asked the board, "What feedback do you want to offer now, before we get started on the budget process?"
Burns said the town could be looking at a $500,000 shortfall in its operating budget for FY22, and he described the 5% increases in the town’s operating budget over the past two years as unsustainable.
"I don’t think that can happen this year," he said. "We’re in a pandemic, we’re in a recession, and we have uncertainty about the payment of taxes."
Burns said he will ask his department heads to keep their budget increase requests at or below 2% for personnel and non-personnel.
Board members said they agreed with Burns’ analysis: "I think you’re on the right path," said Selectman Mike Estes, who suggested Burns "come in as lean as you can."
Board member Marilyn McLaughlin agreed but expressed a hope the process would not adversely affect staff.
Burns said the budget is split pretty evenly between personnel and non-personnel costs, but not all of the non-personnel costs can be reduced. "That’s the challenge," he said.
"It’s not clear to me how we get to that end point (of retaining staff while cutting on the non-personnel side)," Burns said. "I think we set that end goal, look at the implications, and then report back out."
Firefighters recognized
The board recognized two York community members with a combined 85 years of service to the town.
Chairman Todd Frederick read aloud the Recognition of Service awards given to Dave Bridges and Corey Hawthorne.
Bridges retired earlier this year after 50 years with the York Beach Fire Department. He began his tenure with the department in 1971 and spent the last 17 years as chief.
Hawthorne spent 35 years with the YBFD. Previously the deputy chief, Hawthorne stepped in as acting chief upon Bridges’ retirement.
Two community members, YBFD Chief Chris Balentine and Gretchen Seaver, who worked with Bridges at Town Hall, were present to express their thanks and appreciation. Seaver recalled Bridges’ numerous acts of kindness and generosity to the community, including helping with the Thanksgiving dinners for families in need.
Hawthorne and Bridges, in turn, thanked York’s citizens. Bridges particularly thanked the residents of York Beach, saying he "hoped my time there has been well served."
Selectman Robert Palmer thanked Hawthorne and Bridges for their hard work and years of service.
"You’ve done a great job preparing the next generation for moving York Beach Fire Department ahead, and that’s a testament to your leadership," Palmer told Bridges. "That next generation is ready to go."
"though" - Google News
August 25, 2020 at 08:28PM
https://ift.tt/3guxkdR
York finances look OK for now, though forecast remains hazy - Seacoastonline.com
"though" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2FnFft4
https://ift.tt/3dmAmQf
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "York finances look OK for now, though forecast remains hazy - Seacoastonline.com"
Post a Comment