2005-01 2020 Budget Task Force Report

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Update revenue estimates and changes in non-discretionary budget items, as  necessary. Recommended Budget Presentation: No Later Than January 15 Selectmen present proposed operating and capital budget.  Consensus reached by Board of Selectmen and School Committee on  recommended budget. Board of Selectmen and School Committee Budget Votes: No Later Than January 22 Voted Budget Published and Circulated with Town Meeting Warrant: No Later Than February 1 The budget process committee initially proposed that available funds be allocated to the schools and municipal sectors at the October milestone meeting. This proposal provoked lively debate. Advocates suggested that doing so would allow for preparing realistic proposed budgets, enable professional staff to focus on the challenges posed by likely resource constraints, and minimize the stress of prolonged consideration of programs that would very likely have to be reduced or eliminated. Others expressed concern that the early allocation of funds would undermine the current collaborative process, prevent appropriate prioritizing of school and municipal needs in balancing the budget, and unduly tax school staff in September and October shortly after the schools open. A member further suggested that the interim budgets in place on February 1 are adequate st for the purpose proposed, are the means for dialog, and a budget published closer to town meeting better reflects the results of said dialog. Communication Discussion & Recommendations Implementation of a Comprehensive Budget Communication Plan for the Town The taskforce felt that a more easily accessed, timely, accurate and pertinent set of budget documents and a plan to disseminate budget information might mitigate potential divisiveness among and between budget committees and constituents. Over the past several years, barriers to communication have resulted in perceived drops in government accountability and increased levels of distrust for government and the budget process among Lexington citizens. Therefore the task force proposes the implementation of a comprehensive communications plan for the town to disseminate budget information in a timely and relevant fashion continuously and not just in override years. This plan would ultimately be the responsibility of the Board of Selectmen who would in turn establish on-going, operational ownership. The taskforce recognizes that some of the items on this list may require funding and will compete with other services for resources. However, the majority of the taskforce believes that a comprehensive, on-going communications plan forms the foundation for