to order. Um, two two of the three of us, but we do have a porum. >> Call the advisory board. Uh, to order. >> All right. Great. Letter rip. Jason >> bear with all the good news coming. >> Yeah.
>> Okay. I have a brief presentation. I'm not going to take a long time through this because we've done this the last few years and I think most of you know the budget and the finance of the town pretty well. So, this just gives you a
quick overview of um town revenue. Um, as I go through this, the sustainable draws down of the levies, the things you'll notice here is that the levy has increased larger than I normally get because if we override that
fact, in addition, um, in 26, our new growth came in slightly higher than what we, um, relied on to balance the budget. Um, you'll also notice that our excluded
debt for 27 is increasing significantly mainly because of the PAS mitigation project that's coming online in FY27. Lastly, I just want to point out for the override, our total override was
480,000. As you remember, what we needed to balance FY26 was 453. that was based on the um fact that Groton's override did not pass. So there was some negotiation between
the town of Groten and the school district to get to a number that both um they live with I guess and so that left that balance um which we are raising um planning to raise in FY27. So, we had
that $27,000 worth of capacity left um for 26. If you have any questions or anything, just throw, you know, yell them up, scream them up there. This is a breakdown of the excluded debt. As I said, the PAS project is coming
online 27. That number is not final. I just got an email I think yesterday from um from marketad that gave me a slightly higher number than that but it's in the ballpark.
So our free cash our free cash was certified at 964,000. Um last year we used 105,000 to balance. So, I've carried that in for 20 or 27 at this point.
Um, you'll notice the the years up top are 25 and 26. That's just because that's the certification year, not the budget year. You use the 26 free cash to forward 27. Just to cl clarify that at
our special town meeting in November, we um appropriated six town meeting appropriated $60,000 of that. So, if we do as we did last year, that $220,000
is $120,000 for capital and then 100 split in 50 for our general stabilization and 50 for our CIP trust stabilization. the Grten um school grant Dunville
School District's capital assessment um has increased. So last year was 83,000. This year they're um asking for 125,000. And so if we do all that, which is
essentially mirrors what we um what we did uh for this fiscal year, this current fiscal year, we'd have a balance remaining of 454,000 in free cash. On the side there, you see the breakdown of free cash appropriations from our
special term. It was the route 113 match, grant match, town website redesign, and then the match for the FEMA grant we received for the file for district. This is just a breakdown of expenses.
Now, these are solely based on Matt. These are based on department requests. I have not any department requests to have this. I wanted I wanted to present them to you as they were presented to me by each
department. So you'll notice we're seeing our the requests that we've received are significantly more than what we normally see and certainly what we can afford. Um public safety is 9 and a half% increase.
schools in total is 7.32. Remember that that's not just R school district. That's also the >> greater greater >> greater tech um public works 25 almost 26%
human services 14 library 14 combat services going up significantly because of the U PAS project and then insurance and assessments 15 and a half. This is a breakdown of those expense
increases just categorized a little differently. The salaries are going up almost 6%. Municipal operations only 25%. Municipal operations 13.34
debt service um increases being a half and then you see the school district. total budget based on the department requests that is 10 and a quarter%. I just want to highlight some of the major increases some of the increases
that um that are higher than what we typically see or noteworthy. So the grunt dun city or regional school district assessment right now I'm carrying at 6% that was based on like a very preliminary discussion I we had a while back
the cap their capital assessment um I was carrying a 5% based on historic averages a 5% increase for grey tech you see that has increased to 58%
that is largely based on enrollment. Um we went from nine to 13 students and that's the result >> seen that other communities as well more folks are show and the increase is substantial because it's such a low number and it's expensive.
>> Yeah. >> Gen school district put any money into that school? >> No. >> No, there's not been going over there. >> No. And uh we there well also last year's eighth grade classes unusually
large cohort as well. So that that potentially be a factor in the enrollment increase in both. >> Yeah. This year is the biggest right. >> Yep. That's big. Police department wages are going up
11%. that is primarily due to a request to um reinstate the ninth officer. So they have two officers on the overnight shift and increase hours in the admin position. Um you'll remember that for
communications in both fire and police because we know the dispatch assessment is coming even though we're still getting relief from the state grant. We've been planning annually and we've been adding $10,000 annually so that when that comes we're not trying to
scramble and find all of it at once. >> So that's the increases in the in the comms for both police and fire. Fire department uh professional technical going up 25,000. That's based on the adjusted
budget that we added $25,000 to at the special town meeting to fund the ambulance. So, it's really from this year's budget initial budget was really a total of $50,000 increase. Um,
and so that's a obviously a large increase and that's due to the ambulance. Um, hopefully, fingers crossed, we're able to come to agree with Tingbar on that. Um, they're still working on that on their end.
Highway paving $154,000 um requested increase. Um let's see some of the other snow and ice $53,000 parks $30,000 our retirement assessment
105 health insurance with 14%. So these are some large numbers obviously um the border of health assessment is going up 30%. So I had sent you an initial deficit
breakdown of of approximately 640,000. Since then, that initial deficit did not include a nice increase. Um so I've added that to the deficit. I've also added the new
estimated assessment from greater oil tax which has increased the current deficit we're carrying to 784,000. 784784. Um, and so on the on the right hand side of the screen, you see just a quick
breakdown of the grade low check rationale for the increase. Okay. So, we've asked departments for their initial budget um submitts. background
because of the deficit we're we're seeing. We went back to departments and asked them to submit revised budgets with 15% reduction for every department. I've received most of them, not all of them at this point. They were due last
Friday. I don't have all of them yet. I the departments are still working on them. for some it's not move through cast but um but I have a lot of them back and I have yet to really dig through them at the moment.
Um and what was your request was for them to reduce it by >> 15% that right? >> Yeah. >> Is that sort of at the leadership of the department head to say this is how I'm going to do it? >> That's right. >> Okay. Um,
so I also sent an email out to all departments asking them to look at their any municipal fees that they charge and to conduct a survey to see how we're comparing. We did this two years ago. Um, I figure it's worthwhile to at least
take another look to see where we're at. There have already been a couple people that think they can they can um make recommendations to increase nothing. You know, we're not moving mountains here. >> Yeah. >> But every little bit helps at this time.
>> But it's good that you're doing that because other towns overrides failed. So, they're trying to find money elsewhere. So, you know, the fees are going to go up. >> Yeah, absolutely. >> And is it for the health insurance? Is it we have two options as a town that our staff >> pick from? Like is it is it worth
considering a third or you guess just sort of overkill at that point for a third option maybe a high deductible or something to that effect that >> Yeah, I mean I could talk to our new adviserss. We just brought them on board. >> Um I could talk to our new adviserss on I mean they're going to test the market
for us. We have to have to. >> Yeah. >> Um >> on the other hand, I will say um it's every we're not the only ones with the health insurance problem. hair bones as it is.
>> So I've also >> Sorry, what percentage of staff are actually on the health insurance? We don't have a very large >> It's not a huge pool. No. No. Um get them for the month. They didn't take it. >> We don't have So we've talked about um
we've talked about doing an opt out program where basically pay people get off the plan. Um it's an it's it's a off we have not done it. Um but we have we've talked about it. Um and we actually um included a clause in the um
police contract. Um >> I was going to say there was really only one person I think that was considering it. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> And most of our other we've got a lot of part- timerrs so it's not really a >> Yeah. Yeah. >> A huge huge group in general. Yeah, it's >> not like the school system where there's a lot of employees and such.
>> But I mean the truth is if one person said you know what I can take I can take money on my spouse's my partner health insurance for whatever willing to pay 2500 bucks $3,000
whatever it is. I mean we if they're on a family plan I mean if they're on a individual plan they save but a family plan will save significantly. Um, it's a good question and it's something we've talked about. >> I've worked at places that did that. >> Yeah. >> Where they they put they give you a set
amount of money for your health insurance. If you don't take it, then you get to talk to that. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I've also had places that would charge extra because like my wife would get insurance, they would actually make me pay more for the health insurance to
cover her. >> Oh, wow. Interesting. I'm not saying we should do that. Just >> Yeah. No, no. Um, so I list here utilization of alternative funding sources. So we I've
kind of been um trying to scrape the uh the floor here for any anything I can find. And so, you know, we've talked to departments that have revolving funds. Um there's some grant money. Some of this is one time. We should be clear
about that. But still we we're in a significant deficit so we're looking at everything. Um and so there may be some again it's not moving mountains but there may be some options to look at some especially
um I would say revolving in grant um funds that exist right now that may be able to offset some costs operationally. Um I put PAS settlement funds. We have um though we have some of those in hand
um from the 3M settlement. Um I wouldn't suggest using that for um for OP operating but I had thought about potentially considering using that for
to supplement our free cash appropriation for general and CIP stabilization funds. So rather than giving in free patch for that purpose because we may need it for other purposes um maybe using those funds for um or a portion of those funds
this for for next fiscal year for general CIP stabilization something think about >> this some of the agreements are unrestricted I think is unrestricted taos is you have to be pas related I don't know what du
is >> we haven't been told you >> any are restricted at this point for us at least that's what that's we haven't been told that you might be you may be right but we have not been told that we've been told that the CPA PAS settlement funds have no obstructions on
loose um >> all right >> yeah I mean we have we I asked for it in writing from our attorney so >> from Napoli right >> yeah well with the state do anything to say they're not going to give you extra
funding for some kind of PAS thing without you using that money first towards it. I I can't envision a scenario where that would happen. Um and they've offered the state DLS has offered guidance on PAP
settlement funds. I don't think so. I don't think so. I would be that would surprise me if they were to do so. And then I put free cash on the list uh because um we have it and we have a huge
gap. So it's it's one of those things where we have made you know how I feel about this. We've made significant progress to get off the free branch. Um and over the last two years especially um we've kind of
resigned and been disciplined. Um it's just going to be it's going to be hard this year to maintain that level of discipline. >> But by using free cash any if we use free cash all we're doing is delaying
the inevitable. >> Okay. I >> Right. I mean that's >> totally agree with that. >> Making it worse. >> Yeah. Which putting off the >> it's going to be double next like the next fiscal year. >> You're creating a hole in your budget. There's >> 105 and it's 210
>> 29 it's a onetime expense but >> there's no denying >> it's a bad financial decision that would be making to get through to you. That's basically what we're doing. Um and then you know the other option is and they're going to have to make some
difficult decisions on our end cost. So, um, so like I said, we have some budgets in with the 15% reduced. We're going to have to take a look at those and we're going to have to accept some of them.
Um, and uh, and that's going to make um, just operating in general difficult for our department because they're already operating without sufficient resources. So um so again there are some I don't want to be
like I know I'm always like dire um financial guy um I guess I embrace that role but um but there are some reductions we are going to be able to make to get this number down. Um if if you looking at the slide you probably saw some where you're like okay we can
there's some there is some that we're going to be able to reduce. We're going to be able to get the number down. It won't get it all the way. Let's be clear about that. Um, so that's going to that's where it's going to get difficult. So that's really my presentation. You
have the packet with the budget, um, the overview, department request, etc. Um, I won't go through that in detail, but I will answer any questions or address anything else that you'd like me to.
This this to this total number includes the school district, right? Yeah. >> Is the school district is that their number and is GR saying what's what's Grant saying >> if anything? >> They're going to talk a little bit more about that and you have you do have a handout from them that goes through
that. They um the town of Bron right now now is what's that number 1.2 and some change 1.2 and it's going to change which reduces what I'm carrying right now by about $900,000. was my back. Yeah, it is.
>> You say it again. I'm sorry. >> So, they're carrying an increase to the school district of about $1.2 million in change based on that chair would reduce what I'm caring about, 98,000.
>> 784 98 now >> based on what brought SC. Yes. >> And then the rest is mun municipal. So that's the percentage. >> Yes. >> Now let's let's be clear about that too though. That's a conversation decision
here. I mean we can say we want to carry what we're carrying. We can say we can't match what can do and we're going to reduce that. you can stick with a six if you think that's what schools need and by the time
we hear from them I wouldn't be surprised if you said yeah that's what they need um but um you can also do the other other way so like while we have to we're working with we have been we've had meetings and um
we've had meetings with the schools and it's been a collaborative process and I expect that to continue because it has the last several Um I just you know that's an important just from from advisory perspective and I
because we're the minority in the school district we don't have much power well when it comes to the end of the fiscal year or end of the you know the fiscal budget if we decide not to fund the school at the Ray Gron has setting ourselves up for a big huge problem
>> without a doubt and my argument going into that in any situation is that the schools get what Gron's tell like basically what Gron's telling us that that they can handle and we need to figure out the municipal side of it >> and I does that make sense or am I
>> I don't disagree I mean especially given the like I said you're going to hear from the school district too you know given the situation given the cuts they've already made given the cuts that would be required beyond what you
just said the reality of the situation the impact of additional cuts are pretty pretty fabulous. So, no, I don't I don't disagree with it. So, that's my personal opinion. >> We don't have anywhere else to get the money from. >> Well, well, yes. I mean, but that's what I mean. Like, if if if
like I've heard people say this every year, it's like, well, we should do an override for the school and override for the municipal. But either way, it's going to come out of the municipal. >> It's one budget bucket. >> One budget for us. Ron could do it two different ways, but we we don't really have that. We We have a choice, but
don't. >> So, if you're good with me, um on the 15%, what do you think is like realistic of what they cuz I mean that gets you what 600 I was trying to do? It's like 600,000 or something. >> So, it basically got us to close in the
initial. I I made it that cuz I just did I I backed into the number. So the initial it basically covers the Yeah. Yeah. Exactly. Good good math there. >> CFO over here. >> Yes. Yeah. Exactly. Exactly. Yeah.
>> But I guess the realistic amount I mean looking at it that's coming out of that that's >> there's no way we'll get 640s from the 15 just because some of the cuts that they're going to have to make are just not
>> plausible. So, we're going to have we're going to have to go through them and really really dig into them a little bit to see what can and can't be done. Um, and some for some of these budgets, the only thing to cut is valid because the
expense budgets are so limited. So, it's not I I again I haven't really looked at them closely, but I'm guessing that some of these budgets that were asked to cut 15, it's just cutting the salary line by 15 because that's all they could do. So,
it would be cutting hours of staff, too. So, um Yeah. Yeah. >> Which is leveling contrast, but the next thing that's on our agenda. >> Yeah. Yep. Correct. You have a hand up in the crowd.
>> Are we ready to take public comment? >> What was the >> questions? Yeah, Joe. >> Uh, just curious uh the uh capital assessment. What does that include for young people? >> The school capital assessment or the
town capital? >> The school. Um, honestly, we're still working on There's actually a a slide in here about capital. Um, it is there's three repairs that we're going to have at Swallow Union and since the
population has swung more in that 5-year rolling average to Dunstable, um, we're working through that, but there's um, the capital requests that we have on the table right now exceed the 125. So, um,
There's not specific projects other than I I can remember at Swallow Union we need three sets of bathrooms redone. Um there's some um HVAC work and I forget what the third one is specific to just Swallow Union
but Dun will also pay a proportionate share of other building other district buildings. So where we land on that that'll that'll be part of our budget presentation at a later date. Yeah, I mean some of this is still, you know, some of it's still estimating.
Some of this is we don't have a final number yet. Everybody's kind of kept their head on. So, or we're still a work very much a work in progress, >> but not far off in general. It's a tight budget. >> Yeah. Yeah.
>> Oh, it's certainly going to affect our priority building. Yeah. Yeah. >> Want to go to schools? >> Sure. >> Um so we have been working like as Jason said um with the town of the invincible
to try to work with what numbers we are predicting right now. Um, I put in the memo where you can see original November 6, that was every one of our departments
requests and it was um about $600,000 more than where we are today. Um, so as we keep chipping away at um honing in on on the budget, when more numbers become more um
reality, we'll um keep keep you in the loop. Um the school committee will get the presentation, I believe, on the 28th. Um so that'll be the superintendent's recommended budget and that'll be what we will um be going within.
Um where we are today um 54,45,663 is a a total operating budget increase of 6.46 higher than this current year which I believe that is one of the lowest renewals that um budgets are going to read this or no.
>> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. And I would just add that it also includes, you know, as you may recall when we did um we did a presentation last year around the operational audit um some recommendations around reductions and and FTE. So that that
that is built in um into this budget number some of those reductions which which Sherry will get into a little bit as we go through. >> So if we were to present the superintendent's proposed budget today again it would be 6.46% 46% higher. Um
that would mean Rotten's assessment would be 8% higher and Dunable's assessment would be 8.8% I'm sorry 8.5% higher. Um, and you can see the um the amounts of the operating assessment on that chart. And there's a
note on here that says that we understand that the assessments that this um formula produces um is not um fiscally supported right now with the money that's available from both counties.
>> So then we have a >> Thank you for that question. >> Yeah. includes transportation. Is that new? >> Yes, it does. >> Is that new? Was that usually separated out? >> Um the state reimbur they're supposed to do 100% but >> right. So that's one of our revenue sources. Okay.
>> Yeah. >> So what so when that revenue comes in, how does that get split between the two towns? >> So what happens is that we have our total transportation budget minus the um the reimbursement
And then if there's anything left over in the revolving account, um that gets reduced from there and then it's split by your percentage, your 5-year rolling average. So it's the net that is actually assessed to both. >> Okay. So you do all the deductions and everything first
>> and then you would then break it up by percentage. >> Correct. >> Okay. Um the second um scenario if you will that we would have is based on if we were to match what Grten has as a
placeholder today. Um it would result in as Jason was saying a lower assessment to dustable than you have as a placeholder because it only represents a 4.9% uh increase whereas it has a 6% built
in. So that would again be in your favor 80 90,000. In that scenario um we the school district would have a deficit of 1,353,528 as of today. The third scenario would be
that if Broton were to match what Dunable has as a placeholder for its proportional share um which would um be what Jason has in the preliminary budget now Brontton would have to go to a $1.5
million increase. Um but that means the school district would still have a deficit of $97,891. Um, just to point out for right now, what are the major cost drivers? The wages are at 5.14 for benefits. Uh, retirement came in
with a 9% um increase. Again, not it's out of our control. Right now, we're holding an 8% I'm sorry, an a 12% increase on the premium for health insurance, but we also have a 2%
um swing in insurance costs that will go to the employee um that next year. So this in this current year their portion went up 3%. Next year it goes up two. So they over the two
years they had a 5% increase to their um contribution. >> So was that is that a three-year contract agreement? >> It Yes. And that was in year two and three. >> Okay. So we're in year two. >> We're in two right now. 27 will be three. >> Can I ask one question or interrupt?
Sorry. Um, page two of the Gen Regional School District on the top line, the top paragraph says, Rotten stated they may be able to fund up to a $1.2 million increase. So, it's 4.32% with district funding in their budget to
meet Rotten's proportionate share. >> Yes. Isn't that what we were talking about? what she means is what I have in the budget currently would cover that cost. >> Okay, >> that I mean we're running a deficit, but
what's in the budget currently that I'm carrying is a 6% increase. So what she's saying is the number in my in our budget right now covers that >> which is this number down here. >> It's the carry number down below. >> It is a little confusing.
>> It's confusing to me. I'm just not a budget person. So do you understand though? >> Sort of. >> Michael Scott, >> I get it. But in reality is with that with with the budget you have together, we're still running a deficit. So that
so that statement isn't really true >> technically. >> No, it is because the 5.5 that 5.45 you see here on the bottom table is assuming a 6% match on our side. >> If you lower that 5.45 45 to 4.32 the proportion of the 6% goes down. So he's
already covered at the 6% which means anything above that is headroom or below that's headroom. >> 6% is the high. Anything below it gives you a plus factor. >> Correct. Yeah. >> Okay. >> I mean it makes sense. >> It is has a plus factor but then at the same time what you're saying is that >> still number
here but we didn't adise. >> Thank you. >> It's like a foreign language. >> Adise and explain. Well, actually he did advice because what he just did to me was amazing. But >> the two wording of it is tricky the way it is written. So >> yeah, the common person who doesn't
understand this very well. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. All right. Thank you all for your advising. The the next line item of things that have been a cost driver in the feeding budget is we have about $70,000 in
consumable materials for the new phonics program um which is mand mandatory. Uh student services right now our our therapeutic contractor line is up 180,000 which is an 82% increase. Um
that's right now a combination of two things. um federal funding going down, meaning that we wouldn't have we'd have to cover some of the costs that we currently uh cover through grants um is now going to be in the general fund.
Um and we have increased need as well. Uh same with the medical contractors. Um and that's all based on student need. The athletic support program um is up 150,000. So basically we have the
athletics are in a revolving account. We collect fees for um high school and middle school to play. We pay all the expenses that we can from the revolving account. So that basically goes to zero at the end of the year and the rest gets
charged to the general fund. um because the the fees have been stagnant over the last uh couple of years while the expenses have been going up, more support has had to go to the general fund. So, one of the things that I'll talk about a little bit later is that
that is one of the things we're working on this year is trying to get the fee collection um in a better place so that more expenses can go to that revolving account off of the the general fund. our substitutes that our substitute line
is up about $200,000. Um that's a combination of two things. One, a greater use. Um another is a product of uh when we have a younger staff, we have a lot of maternity,
paternity, FMLAs. Um as our human resource um gentleman told us today as of this year we have 16 that fall into that category. So and >> fall into what category >> taking leave whether it's m again it
could it could be a six month if it's a maternity fraternity could be the same but maybe taking up over chunks uh family leave a lot of people taking care of um sick family members. Um, >> can you take some of the some of the substitute money and give it to the
teachers not have to not have kids? Like it is actually >> No, I'm afraid we can't. >> So, the superintendent's got four. >> So, it is, you know, >> we've for attrition for retirements to save
money on new hires. Um right now there it's almost costneutral and we do not it as of today we do not have one uh unit a member who is given notice to retire for next year. So usually we have two three
that we can bank on. We have zero um transportation. Um >> that's good because the fast past few years it's been a huge exit. Yeah. Yeah. So, >> so good job there. >> Um, transportation, we're up 5%, we do
have a contract renewal coming up in 27. Uh, maintenance expenses are up 145,000 or 15%. We're trying to play catch up on a lot of things that we've put on hold over the last couple years for because we've put different uh money
toward operating more than capital. Um so uh again that this could be an an area that we look at when we're trying at the end to to balance out. >> Um and then our audit district placements at a snapshot of today are up
11% and that's moveins. So that again isn't anything that we can control. We can only provide. And the does is there anything that the previous district has like like if someone moves from one district to another district isn't there something where the previous district
that will maybe hold into what >> it's at a certain I I want to say if it's after April then can share with the other district but um in our student services um director does work to do that.
>> Okay. >> Can I just pass on the maintenance? It says the maintenance is up the 145,000, >> but based upon the at least the other slides, it shows a $260,000 increase.
>> Oh. Um I think that I did the slides in the beginning and I've already cut maintenance stuff. So it I think it's um it's more accurate the 145 at this point because I went through and I took some of the original post. That may have been
a previous iteration, but >> yeah. >> Okay. >> I I was trying to do these slides as I was building the budget so that I wouldn't lose track. I'm sorry I missed that. Um so what have we done to reduce
the budget? Um our due diligence. We've reduced two FTEs in student services this year, meaning that there were vacancies that we have not filled and we carried that vacancy um into 27. so that there's two less FTEES
there. Um, we reduced our regular transportation fleet. We used to have 18 buses. This year we have 17. So that was a savings of $86,000. Um, but just to be clear, that also means that our transportation reimbursement dollars will go down
because our costs go down. So we'll we'll see that in 27. >> Still up 100% reimbursements. What's the state reimbursement and what's um it's I budgeted for 80% which it where it usually lands and then at the end of the
year sometimes they bump it up to 85 86%. Um but I budgeted for an 80% reimbursement on 17 buses. >> Okay. Um, as I mentioned before, we negotiated to
shift an additional 3% in health insurance premiums to our employees in this current year and in um 27 there'll be an additional 2% for a total of five. We contracted with a consultant to review the school district scheduling to
and this was in direct um response to the operational audit. um she's actually starting next week. Um it's a long term, so we probably won't see any of the benefit in 27 because if it means doing some major scheduling changes at
throughout the district, um it'll take longer than months to implement. Um we hired we had a m a maintenance vacancy and we actually hired a licensed electrician to um to come on board. So,
we have been able to reduce our contracting um because of that. Um and as I stated before, we don't have any notification right now of any professional retirements. Um but that could be a savings on a salary for a
year. >> Can I ask another question just on the >> Sure. >> just going back for like when it talks about like the medical contractors obviously with student aid. >> I'm sorry. Can you say that? >> I'm sorry I mumble. No, I dear. So, >> no worries.
Yeah, you're doing great. >> So, it's talking about uh like the medical contractors, therapeutic contractors where it's based on student need. Um >> is there any like I don't know anything about like the chapter 70 and stuff like is there way like with student need does that affect any of the formula? Um just
I know there was something at chapter 132 like the 2019 there was a student opportunity something in Massachusetts but is there a way that it's something that's student need where we have to address medical something for students that that affects revenue for us or is
it >> um so >> you can bill insurance for >> we don't bill insurance but we can put in Medicaid reimbursement. >> Yeah. Okay. So if it meets a certain threshold of the the total. So um we
would capture that and we will we work with um UMass to to make sure that our um we max out our requests >> for Medicaid. >> Oh so there's a limit based
>> I I'm not an expert on that but yes there is. I think you have to meet a threshold and then it's above that. Um and we also that will become part of anything like that becomes part of the circuit breaker reimbursement because that's okay total um special ed cost if
it if it's a special ed expense um it could become part of getting more of a reimbursement for that. >> Got it. Thank you. >> Um will there be more revenue to offset
any deficit we have? I have built in $150 per student up for minimum aid, which is what we currently get. Um, in the event that our advocating gets us any more per student, um, for every $50 that they add
to that, the district will receive $110,000 more in Chapter 70. So, um, we're hoping that our voices are heard and and something gets done there. So that again will can reduce the deficit.
Uh circuit breaker reimbursement funds. Right now I'm using $2 million. We have about 2.1 that come in. I'm offsetting expenses of 2 million. Um if our expenses continue to increase, our
reimbursement will increase and I will transfer um transfer expenses from the general fund to the circuit breaker. So that could potentially uh reduce our deficit. Transportation reimbursement I have at 80%. If it ends
up about 85% where it typically does for every 1% additional we get $13,000. So we might get another 50 $60,000 if it goes to 85%. Uh what are possible expense reductions?
We have our health insurance budgeted for 12% right now. We are currently trending below uh the trend the benchmark um and as we get closer to our renewal um that may go down. But for
every 1% I'm able to reduce that by um it'll reduce our budget by $50,000. So hopefully we get a really really good renewal and that that could um close it out. >> It's just real work. >> Yeah. Um, I could move what, like Jason
was saying, looking at our revolving accounts. What could I move there? Um, we have one student that comes in um to our district from another district that pays tuition. Um, I could fund a student services position with the tuition
amount that comes in. It is risky because if that student doesn't come next year, that isn't covered. So, it's an option and um just to show our due diligence that these are the thing type of things that we're looking at. Um
we're again looking at the athletic uh fee revenue and um doing a a better job at collecting that and um being able to cover the athletic expenses. So, we're working on that.
>> When you say a better job collecting it, does that mean it's not I I would say this this current year um last year rather I worked on putting a better policies and procedures in place for kindergarten and we've you know re
pooped a lot from that. Now the next one I'm working on is um athletic fees and student fees. So, we've now put a dedicated person at the high school to um monitor that and um hopefully we're
going to see the benefit of that being more um >> Okay, I now I get it cuz one year I got a student fee for activities and another year I didn't. So, that's what you're talking about. >> Yeah. So, just putting in stronger
procedures, internal controls. Um Okay. Substitute costs. Um again, that that's a huge jump this year. And maybe when we end up asking about um when we get closer to
certifying the budget in March, that this is where that might be a a cut that we just need to make. um reductions above would happen based on the right now we're looking at either a 900,000
deficit or a $1.3 million deficit. Um that's Do you want to add anything? >> No, I mean it's a it's it's a range. It would it would lead to um you know again there's some there's a lot of variables
in terms of what the health insurance actually comes in, you know, what what the governor's budget provides and and um minimum per pupil aid, whether it stays at 150, whether it whether there's been talk that, you know, it could go up
potentially. Um, which would obviously shrink that gap. Um, so it's it's difficult to to establish an exact number of positions that would need to be reduced if we were in that scenario. Um, so we we put down here 7 to 10 might
be might be a few more. It might be less. It could be even reduced more than that based on some of the variables that um that Sher was talking about. When you look at the major cost drivers, so like wages at 5.4%.
What's that number? The number is a bit more illustrative to me than a percentage. A percentage of what is it? a million dollars to million five or you know what I understand the math there
and and same question for health insurance. So it's going up 8.9% but of what got that right here. So health insurance and and wages >> I think he wants a dollar value. >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. change. >> You can ask another question while I'm >> put you on the spot. Sorry. I understand that correct. So, we the operational audit
ultimately resulted in a adding uh cost by having someone look at the district scheduling that says you contracted a consultant to review this and it's going to take over a year for that person to incorporate theirs.
>> Excuse me. Um, no, it's actually um going to be starting next week is looking at our scheduling, not just special education services and service deliveries, but in all schools, too, to look at um ways that we can
maximize and be more efficient in supporting students. So that's something that's going to you know happen by building >> and right that that I mean it's been underway and and as I mentioned before we we were able to um reduce to FTE
along the student services side um as part of the operational audit recommendations but in terms of how to how to and when to group students for services also has to do with what that master schedule looks like. Um, so that's that's what she's going to be
engaged in helping us do um, starting next week by school. >> What was the funding for that consultant? Was that fun but last year or is it >> it's part of >> I think she's doing it through one of her >> or Yeah.
>> Yeah. It's a it's it's through uh one of our grants student services. >> Oh, okay. Great. >> Yeah. So it's not a added cost to >> No, it's not an added cost to operational budget. >> It's just kind of the way that we're contracting somebody to consult to the people and
>> makes it seem like >> we're adding >> adding cost. No, no, no. We're we're >> grant No, we're not. We're not doing that. It is it is um grant funded, >> right? Yep.
And then right the collections of of fees that you say were adding someone or dedicating someone to just making sure that they're >> that they >> it's a stipend so it's like $2,000. It's seven $750 per season.
>> So >> making sure that that everything is collected that should be collected. So it's a it's a stipen to like a teacher, right? Is that what you're saying? >> Correct. Through a staff member. Yeah. >> It's just as if they were to if they were to volunteer to be the coach of a team. Yes.
>> To get a stipen for that. Right. So you're >> it's above and beyond their normal duties. >> Okay. >> And the idea is that they would pay they would they would pay for >> themselves. If I can recover $50,000 in loser fees, that's Yeah, absolutely.
>> 100%. So, can we apply for that next year? >> I think it get posted every year, right? >> This might be >> I don't I don't want to throw a number out there and it not be right. >> Okay. >> So, I can I will Yeah, all good. Um
again, >> I'll email the board. >> Yeah, appreciate that. So, then I'm also looking at will there be more revenue to offset the deficit? So I'm sort of using a deficit number for sake of ease 900k which seems to be on the low end. Is that
>> that so the the 900k is the scenario? >> Well that's the scenario too if if you were at the 6% that you're currently and then Groten would need to >> bump up to 1.5. >> Okay. >> That's that's the scenario with the 9007
9007. >> Yeah. And then I was sort of baking out ideas. So if you, you know, uh, if you added 75K in pupil aid and then you added 65K from regional transportation reimbursement, 100K from END,
and 100K from health insurance reductions, you're at about 340ish. We're still short 560 kind of hopeful. >> So um, and it does say on there the U reductions would be about seven or 10
positions. So it would be about seven with the um at the 900. >> Yeah. >> And and the reality of all of those things happening >> is slimly not that lucky. >> So I think it might be a combination a
little bit of all of it. But um >> I mean that that being said there has been a ton of advocacy for upping that number of 150 per student for hold harmless districts which represents roughly 235
districts in the Commonwealth which is >> way over um 70%. I mean it's it's a it's a large percentage of districts obviously that are that are in that number and have been advocating for it. So, um I did ask uh Senator Cronin what what like a an increase in aid would
what what's a big number there and threw out numbers that were pretty big. So, I mean if it were to double to 300 per student, for example, um >> that would be a significant amount of money for us. >> Um
>> yeah. increase and I mean I don't think the expectation is that we would get 500 but I think the hope is if we ask you know amount it's very clear that you know one is not although we appreciate it it's not you know um and the other thing I
just wanted to point out too is that the seven to 10 positions um doesn't include the two FTEEs that were already eliminated correct Right. Correct. >> Sorry. Go ahead. >> I just didn't uh do we when the state
provides an unfunded mandate that cost us $70,000. Is there any sort of response back if they say, "Hey, you got to go up and you got to spend $70,000 in this material to I mean I understand it does probably doesn't go anywhere, but is there something to just say back like, hey, you know, we're already asking you for more money and then
you're going to give us an unfunded mandate on top of that?" Is there notification or at least a some sort of a letter saying that this is unjust or unfair at this? >> Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Kristen applied for a grant that would help do the transition to the new
phonics program, but our district did not was not awarded what but she did um we did look >> to have those costs offset. Um, >> it just it just yeah, to me it just seems it seems counterproductive for the state to understand that all these
communities are coming forward and saying we don't have enough money and then they say, "Well, great. Here's a new program that we're not going to pay for either." >> Makes no sense. more than back in November actually um spoke at the money development issue to
the um education chair and basically points out like it's all well and good for you to you know focus new programs and initiatives >> they make sense there's rationality behind them but if you're not going to provide the districts to be able to use DMS roll
out how they would then learn. So I think that is one of many points I think that needs to be brought up repeatedly for the legislature. >> They also have a very very narrow definition of unfunded mandate that they
go by. What to us it is to them isn't always consider >> well to grind it's an unfunded mandate to Lel and Pitchburg it's funded. I mean, that's that was my conversation with do with with Senator Cronin who's not ARA, but yeah, he heard me out
anyway. And I just said whenever you say that people have to pay their fair share, I cringe because that means I'm going to have to pay more >> cuz whenever they talk about like they were talking about all day kindergarten, right? They were going to require it and we're not going to see the funding for that. >> We're going to have to figure it out. That'll
>> be another half a million dollars. Yes. >> It's coming because it was it was a campaign promise. So, >> we've got a couple hands up. I think the lady in green had a hand up and then Joanie get married since
and just to say a little bit more about what Lazy had said that yes, I'm very hopeful. But even when no just often able to start applications, districts are qualified. >> Joe,
>> uh uh two things. Um just wondering what's uh what's in the END fund at this point? >> Um I believe it's 900,000. >> 900,000.
And then actually got certified. >> Yeah, because you would have got it. It's one point. Actually, it it came in higher than we thought it was going to all these papers and I don't have the
ones I need. It's $1.1 million. Thank you, Lacy. Um the the the other thing is you know we had that lovely meeting at the
at the middle school there with people and you know I have to say that are just the eternal you know I mean how long how long has it
been 15 16 years >> since they They've given us, you know, an an extra penny. and you know, you keep voting for these people, you keep, you know, putting them
back in office. That's the only thing that they're going to understand is that if you say sorry, you know, no more, you know, that's what it's going to take in order for them to properly fund, you
know, these school districts. Thank you. >> I will I will say to that point and I don't disagree with the comma. There is a real push statewide there and it's
not just chapter 70. It's looking at municip the ways municipalities are funded in general because it doesn't work for any I mean frankly it's not working for most communities right now. Um I mean just on
the list of them on the small um small town administrators associate ahead of itself. Um there are a lot of there was just a poll done about who's going for an override for next year and there are a lot of communities that need an
override. The the funding mechanisms for local government it's like the whole thing is just broken. And so um there's a lot there is just a significant push for chapter 7 but also for take another look at Prop 2 and a half
and how that works for communities to look at unrestricted local aid and what we're getting and how it measures to what we used to get etc etc. So I mean there's a lot of advocacy going
on. I think it's going to be at some point. Maybe not. I agree. It's what you say 15 16 years. Hopefully it's maybe four or five, but it's going to take time. I agree. But it it's it's going to come. It's it's got to come. >> There is momentum. I mean, >> there is a lot more than there was 15
years ago. I >> Yeah. I mean, this stuff does take time. There's no question about it. As as much as I would love to hope for our elected officials to actually come through with something or make some modifications or, you know, get voted out or whatever it happens to be, and at at some point in time, the big fish needs to come in and
and talk talk to the the state government and tell them that you got to fund the schools because too many of our members are getting fired because the fact that you're not funding the schools. And I'm referring to the teachers union. they need to sit there and say that there'll be no teachers in the school until you fund the things
appropriately cuz we're yelling. We've been doing it for years and they're not listening. And these minuscule increases are wonderful, but they're they're not doing what they need to do. So, and you know, unfortunately, we're going to get to a point where you've seen, you know,
the kids walking out of schools because they don't have teachers anymore. Kid not making it through an entire year talking about strikes and all the rest of stuff. without the the largest piece of this puzzle going back to the state and saying that you don't have enough money and our members are now sitting at
home because of the fact that we don't have uh we don't have the budget to do so is uh I'd love to see that 500 bucks a student 700 bucks a student whatever it is the reality is that as much momentum as we have which is is positive um it's just
that they keep showing up every day and getting paid and keep salaries keep going up because it's guaranteed in every single one of their contracts. So, unless they're the last one in, they're not the first one up. So, >> I just have one question. What are we
seeing um from your colleagues in other districts? Like, though I know every district's the same, some didn't have an override last year, some did, you know, all the considerations there. Are you seeing, you know, more often than not an increase in budgets of the five to 7%?
Is that like the average within this Middle Sex County comparable market basket districts? I know that's the catchphrase. Or are we a little higher because of the you know affluency of the area or what how does that sort of benchmark process look for us when we
compare to you know North Middle Sex or Tingsboro you know Westford Bloomberg you know all these different areas. I mean, I think I I think it's, you know, in terms of like the percentage increases and and what people are trying to do is protect positions, right? So, I
mean, a lot of the a lot of the budgets are um you know, level services keep who you have and pass overrides in order to do that. >> That's that's what it's been, you know, with surrounding districts and superintendents. We were talking about our budgets and comparing. It's it's
it's pretty pretty similar. And I think it's so early in the budget season too that even like on my list serves people usually somebody will say, "Hey, what do you what are your ideas for?" And that those haven't started yet. Um now that it's January, I think
we'll see more. >> Yeah. >> Um but right now, I mean, we've done a lot of upfront work, so um this is why I think we're a little bit ahead. >> Okay. I mean, there was a record number of overrides, I think last year. Yes. And that number they like the
record number never failed to. So it's >> you know I I the our rep Margaret she I mean every single one of her districts the last few years went for override. >> I think we only passed it. >> They were the only pass the only town.
Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yep. >> Another question from the audience >> for the right side. I can't see. So there's still reductions. >> Literally, I cannot see that even with
her hands. >> I will say though, >> I will say as much as 6% is still too much. It's nice that we're actually talking about 6% and not 14% which is what we were doing in the years past. I thank you for that because it it we
would we would sit there basically holding our breaths wondering what the school was going to ask for prior to your arrival. So it's it's it's just nice to be able to talk about 6% rather than 14. >> Yeah, that is true. John
>> um just a comment on what Jason said about the changing proposition. Uh the reason why we have proposition is because
you know we've got we were taking the cleaners every year. you know, then the the the towns I don't know who this town is whether the I guess it's the towns could just raise your uh you know raise
your taxes to whatever they wanted and this would be great because you know then the towns could do it again and the state still wouldn't have to cough up any money. So, you know, we just
need to we got to be careful that proposition 2 and AF is the best thing that has ever ever happened to us. And you know, the the money that should be coming to us is should be coming from the state
on other stuff. Okay? They're spending it on other stuff. They're not spending it where they should be. and that's up to us to make some changes so that we get what we need to do.
And just quickly, um I agree with your point around additional state aid. The discussion around Prop 2 and a half isn't around wholesale change. It's more about
allowing flexibility locally. So, it's giving it's basically providing more tools to communities in a lot of different ways. Prop 2 and a half is one of those being discussed now. So, not a broad wholesale change, but if a
community decided, you know what, we think Prop three, three and a three and a half makes more sense than Prop 2 and a half, they could go to the ballot and ask the community if they agree. And if the ballot if the community
decided they they wanted to do that, the community could do that. So it wouldn't be it wouldn't be this full it'll tie it to the CPI or some mechanism rather than two and a half. I think what it why that
conversation's happening is because this artificial 2 and 12% increase puts a cap on increases which I understand is not I'm not suggesting that's a bad thing. What I'm suggesting is it's tied to nothing. It's not tied to reality at
this point because everything is going up more than two and a half >> gone up in the past >> has gone up is going up that exactly. So I think it's just acknowledgement of that fact and trying to give communities
more tools to address their their needs locally. On the other hand, I don't think that should be a a copout to the state to give us additional aid. And I think those two things can be advocated
for um together. So that's I mean that that's basically MMA um MMA's platform right now and those things they're trying to >> they're trying to advocate for height.
>> This is just right. What's >> we This is This is an info presentation. Okay. >> Anybody? >> Yeah. So, being up. >> So, um where are we at this point?
>> If we're done with questions and discussion on that. Um unless if there's direction you want to give me on approach to budget, I'm all ears. Otherwise, my plan moving forward is
to get everybody's 15% reduced budget in start evaluate evaluating those as soon as possible. Other than that, also um looking at altering funding sources for some of our operating costs
um when they get the number basically getting the number down to as much as I can. Um, I don't know if anyone has opinions or wants to give direction on free cash use because that's, you know,
that's going to be a thing. That's got to be a conversation. If you want to keep it level funded, it's going to be very hard. I'm just putting it out there straight up. It's going to be very hard. And if if you're
open to increasing free cash to balance, I hate to even talk about that honestly, but um I I think that's a question that I would welcome feedback on. >> Um can I >> I think those are the big I think really
those are big time. >> 784,000, right? That's the deficit right now. >> Yeah. What percent what how much of that is a would be the normal 2.5% increase which means which means it would not need an override. How much money can we
afford in a surf in the deposed to not have that make sense? >> Yeah. >> It's already in your revenue assumptions. >> Yeah. It's already baked. It's >> He's already doing >> I know him because it's in his head like
>> so it doesn't really m it wouldn't work in that way because it's already baked into it assumptions of revenue growth. So 784 is just net. So you'd be talking an override for the 784 on not to use those. But if you if there was nothing else so
you're saying so the 784 is override period to not do an override we have to cut 784,000 >> and no cash usage. >> Yes. No. Yeah. Okay. >> Yes. All right. >> Well, with with the level level amount of >> the 784 includes the request without any
modifications at this point. So, we're not it's I don't want to say it's it's not the town administrator's budget at this point. >> It's not a requested budget. >> It's the requested budget from from the the department heads >> and you know hopefully we can get those back. I would say if you know obviously
you set a deadline and some made it, some didn't. Uh but you know to really look at you know the ones as you stated there's there are ones that are on there that we can immediately look at and say that that's great and we all wish we could do that those sorts of things but we don't have the funding to do that. So
to look at that number would be uh would be good. Um, as you kind of know from >> our years of uh working together here, the utilization of uh free cash is >> on it's frowns upon >> um we're still using it as it is and and
obviously this is we're looking at not reducing that uh percentage like we had you know intended previously >> um to get to even negative 784. Um, so we're already, you know, sort of breaking some of the, um, policies that
we try to put in place to try to get us to a better fiscal standing with what's going on. So, >> um, I definitely don't want to because it's just kicking down the can down the road, right? We're saying that we don't want to ask for an override right now because of the fact that, >> um, we're just going to use the free
cash, which is just going to increase our override number next year. Mhm. >> So whatever we don't and this is what what we're looking at and the the free cash that's available to us. We could spend it all and then balance our budget for a year and next year we're going to come back at the increase on all these
departments plus what we just dropped out what we just ripped out of free cash >> without more free cash. >> We have more free cash to be able to balance that. And it just ultimately ends up in a position where we're >> putting ourselves further away from where we want to be, which is, you know,
sort of fiscal conservancy, but uh we're not uh we're not there at this point. And uh >> uh I just if without an override, you know, which I I don't want to do. We, you know, understand as much as >> we had discussed that we thought this
last one was going to carry us. uh you know uh it didn't even right now it's looking like it didn't even make it a year. So that's >> that's unfortunate. >> Um >> that's I don't see how we're going to get there. >> Yeah. With that 784 deficit that was the
105 using an opium >> that had the 105 free cash from this year already baked into it. >> Y >> okay >> and actually going up right he carried at 105. >> Yeah. I thought it was my apologies. I
transposed the number in my head. >> But >> so what do we have a schedule that we need to adhere to? Um >> so >> Rotten has a budget. >> Yeah, >> they need to confirm their budget schedule but before that.
>> So no Jake. So what you said was keep the free cash at where it is right now. I would that would be my personal opinion is that not to utilize pre-cash at this point just because of the fact that this is it's not fiscally responsible. Okay.
>> How about let me ask you this. I'm I'm just knowing how what that's going to look like and it's not going to look good. >> I'm not saying I'm not saying reduce it from what you have shown right now. That's >> I understand. >> Yeah. >> But let me ask you this. So
our free cash use right now >> Mhm. is the 105 >> and then we have the 220 that we're planning to use but it's for the one time tied to one time >> which is the one for capital and then the pitch for general pitch for CIP
stabilization >> that's fine >> if I were if we were to cut capital I'm just laughing the question cut capital are you comfortable with using the 120 still using 100.
>> It's just that we're not utilizing it for onetime funding. Now we're as revolving or >> just wanted to get No, I I I get it. I understand >> much much more willing to utilize free cash for onetime spend versus >> uh reoccurring cost.
>> I'll put it I'll do that. >> We have one more question. Dave, >> what are you looking at for costs and what do you own? Um I I don't want to it would be pure speculation right now that I don't I
don't want to do I don't want to speculate on but they will be I suspect they will be deemed they will be ded based on the requests we have yes
I I don't everybody everything will be covered every department. >> I don't right now. >> There there are a lot of a lot of items on that. It's the right now. What we're looking at on 784 is based upon the request from all the department heads
and there are a lot of items in there that we know and we know that several of the department heads have aggressive requests on a basis. So when I said it wasn't the town man town administrative budget, it's those things that generally right now it's kind of like a look like
where before the cake is baked, right? Look in the oven kind of seeing how it looks. But uh right now there are items there that would reduce things >> pretty significantly sort of fairly quickly. I would say that the number I I wouldn't want to get to exact numbers or
even rough numbers, but that 784 would come down significantly um to a number where we'd be talking about um reductions, you know, or I don't even want to say free cash usage because I just said I don't want to use free cash. Don't
>> go on. >> Yeah. >> But they would reduce what that what we were talking about the utilization of that money uh there. So those >> I would say the cuts would be if we tried to if we tried to incorporate all
those things that the cuts would have to come from other places if unless if we didn't go for an override. >> So it's it's too early in the process to say what the number would be. Uh but uh we just looking at that board of what the you know understanding you know we
have seen these numbers come in from those department heads. A lot of those will come down like I said fairly quickly. Um, and then we'd have to talk about that number at that point in time. And then again, we really, really, really have done a lot of work over the
last, I would say, two to three years to get ourselves to a position where we're being fiscally responsible. And if we were to go just even just if we were to go and just pay for this the override instead of going for override pay for
with recash the impacts that we would have beyond just the financial side of things and increasing the the override request later we'd be looked at you know by credit agencies uh the town rating everything would diminish by us going and just emptying our free cash and
paper operational and that's a it's it's a danger for them to go down And uh we're trying to do everything we can to stay away from stay away from doing that. >> Depending how close you get to that 15% can close a massive fortune just on what
we've seen so far. So it's very early as you said. >> Okay. >> Seems to be step one. >> No, I appreciate that. Thank you. >> Schedule. So, um, for the school district, we have
a budget presentation. The superintendent will do his presentation on January 28th. Um, I think >> to do the same same boards. Okay. Um, and then
yeah, we have until by law we have to certify our budget by March 15th. I believe we're scheduled for the 11th. >> Yeah. >> Um, >> and I want to say was they brought a release in their south budget right around the same time this year.
>> They do theirs uh January 31st. >> Yeah, they I thought it was early, right? It's the end of January. that you should be December 30th. >> Yeah. So, yeah. So, right around the same time they don't grant overlays. >> As much as, you know, I know when we have these public hearings, a lot of
things that come up, you know, and uh along those lines and understanding that I I have known or other parents have mentioned things about not paying uh for things that they're utilizing. Is is that not something to just you know sort of reference to these like hey we had
these amount of cost and this should have come in for revenue. It did not. You know you're you're the kids are going to you know after school care and not compensating the the the town or the the school district appropriately. You're going and
playing youth sports or high school sports and then doing the same thing. Is that is there a number to say like, hey, we had to dip back into our general budget because people in the community are not they're utilizing the services and then not compensating the school the
district appropriately. Just even an understanding of what that number would be because it's it's kind of like the town's going to come to us and say, you know, they're going to come and say, you know, what do you mean you have to go up on this? Why does this have to go? Well, it has to go up because you know person over here or person over there is not
pay you know the the I don't want to say pay their fair share but if you're utilizing these activities or taking part of >> like using athletics as an example >> right if you get half the kids on the you know whatever team aren't >> paying the fee or >> paying the fee you know this is how much
is hurting or going back to our you know general budget that then we have to allocate for we have to plan we can't plan on you paying for it if uh if you're not actually doing it you know it's kind like taxes if you know we plan on these taxes coming in and if nobody pays our taxes then you can throw away the budget.
>> Is that what you were finding is that that fees were not being paid or they weren't being properly build. >> Well, we don't have a billing system. So the >> setting up the the system and put it in in place. Yes. And then
having rosters, having a person dedicated or accountable for making sure that the fee was collected. >> And I know it's not I know it's not that we're not talking about a million dollars worth of fees here.
>> But it is one of those things that please be >> No, but it is something to say. So it's not like we were only talking. No, I agree. This is budget >> dust to us. >> No, no, no. No. I mean >> of our deficit.
>> I mean I mean the amount that's not being I mean >> Yeah. Yeah. Is is not >> we're just making sure that we've crossed all our teeth and dotted our eyes and and >> most of the fees fiscal processes, >> right? I mean most of the most of the fees that are collected should be
collected but you know tightening that up will have an impact. It's not a huge number, >> right? >> But >> no, but then we can come to you with fidelity and say that we've looked in every corner. We've tightened up every process. So,
>> um, this is part of the >> Yeah. >> part of our process. >> Y >> I don't know 150,000. who are looking under every newspaper and and every department for money access
and I'm very curious to see the history of that because I know that hasn't large so I'm very interested >> hey I didn't hear what you said but I I'll catch I I honestly can't hear
>> I couldn't hear back. >> So I will >> and I'd like to know why it's wrong because I didn't need to come back. >> Okay, >> Joan, one more. >> Just clarification
what uh Jason and and Jake were talking about. Are you talking about uh using uh free cash to fund the uh capital assessment?
Is that >> well so how we've accounted for free cash well how we accounted for it last year is we used it we used 105 roughly to balance the
budget. Then we used um we did dedicate 83604 whatever it was a free cash to cover the capital assessment for the schools. We used 120 for capital for the town and
then we used another 100 for the general and the CIP stabilization. That's how we did it last year. And so what we basically talk about is using that same road mapap for FY27.
>> I thought that's what she said, but yeah, I can't hear any. >> Yeah, sorry. Thank you. >> Yeah. Again, it's just potentially just trying to get our heads to the point of utilizing for one-time cost and not applying free cash to reoccurring costs.
That's the kind of the that's the rationale we utilized. uh to on the capital in that manner. >> All right. Is there anything else that we want to continue on this conversation or >> Thank you for putting it together. Appreciate the time. It's
>> a exciting top. Thank you. >> That's it. Um the school committee have anything else that they want to throw out at this point or >> I mean it's just I would say you know we've been in touch you know
gotten and budget becomes finalized you know you guys surprised where we are and um you know I hope that um you know we don't set up an expensive civic
additional joint meeting like maybe um you all hearing to try to continue. Anybody else have anything you want to know? >> I would I would think at both ends at
least at least I would imagine I kind of understand from the advisory board side. I don't think we're very excited about the potential of any override uh in this in this budgetary cycle. I don't know if select is on the so as much as we want
to close the gap. You know, Jason, I'm sure Mark is doing the same thing on the other end as we try to close that in. Uh that the override suggestion would be would would not go well, I don't think, in either community. So, >> I don't think it's Yeah, it's not fair
to the residents in terms of, >> you know, a lot of residents have children who are critically important to the school system, but I think it was a it was a pretty strong sign last year to get it through or a strong effort. In the previous year it was alarmingly no. So I think you know this year we've got
to make do with what we have. >> So >> yeah, you know that um you know there was an expectation that that was going to be a realistic possibility. I think that you know John and Jerry have been building their budget accordingly. Um I think
that our hope would be that the deficit won't be ignored entirely by the schools but that the t as painful as ever is to contemplate and I don't want to talk about any reduction for school or towns. Um, but I also think that,
you know, to talk about, you know, upwards of 15 plus conditions on the side being let go and then nothing happening with the public side that would, you know, sit well with a lot of people either. So if there is some way
that we can kind of work together to share that burden, I think that would be um just repeating myself. >> I would agree with this the sentiment. We just you know if I didn't say it, you know, somebody would say something that
uh you should have expressly put that out there, then overrides are not something that we're looking to do. So, it's just a more of a understanding that um we we definitely agree with that as you know, like you know, we're we're
sort of uh uh we're down to uh uh you know, bone at this point with uh what we have going on within our town. So, it's uh the cuts really really start to hurt if uh if we did try to uh cut further over here. So,
>> all right. Well, thanks for coming. We've got another >> topic on our agenda here we have to address. >> You guys think you guys are going to stay. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Yeah.
>> Enjoy your dinner. >> Seriously, I knew bringing it. All right. Let's go >> about 30 minutes. >> Go. >> So, let's go. >> Less I got to tell you the cop study
>> front to back so many times. I think we've talked about it enough. I don't think >> Let's go. >> I don't think we need to talk or we need to go through the presentation. I think it's Do we both? >> Yeah. Ed, beautiful. >> Yeah, I would agree. Unless anyone we'll let the folks clear out and then go over
that's too presumptuous but >> no I think >> it's totally >> I mean we've seen it >> we've seen it a lot I guess we just want to know where you advisory board stands on this and u >> we haven't as a group we've had
discussion obviously but we haven't really taken positions on anything yet I mean I would personally myself, I understand the rationale behind it and obviously we as a as an old Ford employer, right? We do have to look at the opportunity and if uh I mean as we
look at uh the the free market and um if we have any of these team members that uh want to leave here that uh it would be challenging for us to replace them given the existing situation we have in place. So modifications to that that make it advantageous for a uh uh for a
person to want to stay here, you know, and and really sort of have a career here.