Templeton begins FY15 budget discussions
Kerry O'BrienNews Staff Writer
TEMPLETON — Town officials have started discussions on the fiscal year 2015 earlier than in most years in an effort to create more certainty when the plan is presented to town meeting voters in the spring.
“Last year was a learning curve,” said Advisory Board Chairman Wilfred Spring during a meeting with the Board of Selectmen on Wednesday. “There needs to be a lot of back and forth between the boards to make sure we’re in concert.”
Members of the two boards discussed attempting a level-funded budget, increasing salaries for town employees and redrafting the municipal employee salary matrix.
The advisory board also presented a new schedule calling for municipal departments to submit budgets by Dec. 1, and indicated all expenses should be identified.
“We’re going to be more scrutinizing than we were in the past,” said Mr. Spring. “I think we owe it to the taxpayer.”
While the advisory board is recommending beginning the budget process with the goal of a level-funded budget, selectmen and others present at the meeting stated that raising employee salaries should be evaluated.
“It’s time to consider what our employees are worth,” said Selectman Doug Morrison. “I’m not convinced level-funding the salaries is the right thing to do.”
Town Administrator Jeffrey Ritter and Selectman Jeffrey Bennett also pointed out that there are parts of the budget that cannot be controlled, such as fuel spending and funding for the Narragansett Regional School District.
With a department heads meeting also planned this week, town officials agreed to seek their feedback on a level-funded budget for the coming fiscal year.
I hope with more people becoming aware of the budgetary issues of the past year, there will be many more people attending the Advisory Board meetings in the upcoming months in the new year. The more people understand the process and the reasoning behind the Advisory Board recommendations concerning the 2015 budget, the more effective the votes at Annual Town Meeting will be. If you are confused about an issue, don't rely on others to tell you what to think or how to vote. Find out the facts and answers yourself directly from the source. We need everyone's input and ideas in order to find our way out of dark times in Templeton. I know financial discussions are boring to some. But, if you can stay focused and understand what is really going on, it will reduce certain topics from being reduced to personality issues. Numbers don't lie, make insults, or push personal agendas. Always looks at the numbers in any town issue. I'm thrilled to see some new people on the Advisory Board. I am confident that this next year will be a positive turning point for the town.
ReplyDeleteVery well said Templetonian. I have a lot of hope for the future of Templeton. Last year was a circus BUT it brought about awareness and showed people that they really do have a say in what happens in our town. I hope everyone continues to be involved and we move forward positively!
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