1975-Annual Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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"Speaking for the employees, I restate our promise to Lexington citizens to continue a maximum effort to get the most possible out of every tax dollar. We in turn ask your support and cooperation in the reduction of certain less essential services if we are to meet our primary objective on continuing fiscal stability with an acceptable tax rater Walter C. O'Connell Town Manager The Town Manager Dwells on Fiscal Stability — Our Prime Objective Walter C. O'Connell D URING THE PAST YEAR Lexington general govern- ment continued to meet its objective of deliver- ing quality public services at minimum cost. In FY 1975 we operated at slightly under the approved budget; $364,000 of unexpended funds were returned and made available for new appropriation purposes. Consequently, the cost of general government operations through FY 1975 was only slightly above the previous year. The capability of our operating depart- ments was demonstrated during our bicentennial celebration when they not only served as the center of a large well- managed logistics support operation, but also, on only four days notice, carried out the added task of planning and implementing the visit of President Ford. As a result of conservative fiscal decisions and prudent management control of operating expenditures, Lexington approaches FY 1977 in a sound fiscal condition. The many expenditure increase pressures, however, are continuing to mount and threaten to further expand the cost of services above the funds available to pay for them. Among the major causes are: Continuing inflation particularly in the costs of energy. The town (not including schools) spends about $400,000 annually in purchasing its energy 9