All -
> 
> The link below is to the first draft of the FY'17 operating budget.    Some
> very
> important information is not yet available, i.e., the Governor's Local Aid
> recommendation; health and general insurance costs; the school assessment;
> Worcester County Retirement assessment, etc.  There is also a strong
> possibility
> that there will be an additional $175,000 in available revenue; we are waiting
> for DOR approval.  
>  
>   Here are a few changes:
>  
>      1. This is an omnibus budget.  I have included spending by non-general
> funds agencies at the bottom of the G.F. budget, i.e., Ambulance/EMS;
> Revolving
> Account Spending; Community Preservation; and Sewer Department.  Numbers from
> prior years are missing and will be updated when financial records are in
> order.
>  
>  
>      2. No new initiatives are funded in the T.A. budget recommendation only
> estimated fixed cost increases.  When we know the amount of new revenue that
> will be available in FY'17, the Selectmen and I will review departmental new
> initiative requests and decide on funding.  
>  
>      3. Actual spending for each line item is included for FY'15.  
>  
>      4. On the Revenue worksheet, there is a deduction to fund OPEB for the
> second year.  We are working on the actuarial update. 
>  
>      5. The FY'16 Revised Budget is included, reflecting changes at the
> Special
> Town Meeting in November.    
>  
>      6. Account numbers from our new chart of accounts are included.  These
> match up with UMAS and will make reporting to the DOR much easier and more
> accurate.  
>  
>      7. The Health and Building Departments are merged into a single budget
> called Inspectional Services.  This reflects that they already share staff and
> an expense budget.
>  
>      8. The former Communications Department is now called Dispatch,
> reflecting
> the recent changes made by the BoS and Chief of Police.
>  
>      9. Individual budgets are hyperlinked.  Clicking on a department at the
> top
> will move the curser to that department's budget.  Clicking the 'index'
> hyperlink to the left of each budget will return the curser to the      top. 
>          
>     10. This budget will be updated when new information becomes available.
>  The
> Selectmen begin their review towards the end of January.  Rather than send
> various versions, I am sending the link below to allow you to review and print
> the latest version. 
> 
>     11.  The list of new initiatives/requests from department heads is
> attached.
> 
> https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=6E2A03A56827D19F!20523&authkey=!AM03yvYg0yNRmtE&ithint=file%2cxlsx


> Bob
> 
> Robert T. Markel
> Interim Town Administrator
> Town of Templeton
> 160 Patriots Road
> East Templeton, MA 01438
> (978)894-2753


posted by Jeff Bennett