2023-11-07-AC -STM1-rpt - Laserfiche WebLink

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STM 2023-1 APPROPRIATION COXMTTEE 31 OCTOBER 2023 The primary capital project on the horizon that will draw on the CSF is the renovation or replacement of Lexington High School. On March 2, 2022, the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) invited the Town of Lexington into the MSBA's Eligibility Period for a new or renovated Lexington High School. The project is currently at the start of the design phase and is expected to take five to six years. Article 4 Amend FY2024 Operating, Enterprise and CPA Budgets Funds Requested Funding Source Committee Recommendation See below See below Approve (8-0) At last spring's Annual Town Meeting (ATM), operating and enterprise fund budgets were presented and approved based on the FY2024 Recommended Budget and Financing Plan published on March 3, 2023. This article allows Town Meeting to make adjustments to those budgets to account for developments which have occurred since the ATM. Line numbers in the tables for this section refer to budget categories in the Plan and the motion approved under Article 4 at the spring ATM. There are no proposed changes to the CPA budget at this special town meeting. Operating Budget Line I I From To Change 2600 1 Facilities -Building Maintenance 1$ 13,975,403 $ 14,060,4031$ 85,000 The sole amendment proposed for the FY2024 operating budget is an increase in the line item for the Public Facilities Department of $85,000. This increase would be funded from the additional tax levy revenue that has become available since the 2023 Annual Town Meeting, as summarized in the Introduction. The Public Facilities Department has requested these additional funds to take over the maintenance and seasonal opening of several small, existing Town buildings which have heretofore been maintained by the Recreation Department or the Department of Public Works and not adequately funded. The buildings include a shed near one of the Town's two water towers that houses radio equipment; the pool houses at the Center Recreation Complex and the Old Res; the restroom/storage structure adjacent to the high school track; and the new Westview Cemetery building. Water/Wastewater Enterprise Funds Two categories of adjustments are proposed for the water and wastewater enterprise fund budgets. Both are essentially housekeeping matters. The first updates the appropriations for MWRA assessments. The appropriations made at the 2023 ATM for MWRA water and wastewater assessments were based on assumed increases of 10%. The MWRA issues preliminary assessments in February and final assessments to each of its member communities in June of each year, after the close of the ATM. The proposed revisions amend the water and wastewater budgets to reflect the final assessments. The revised appropriations will be used when the Select Board sets FY2024 water and wastewater rates later this fall. Line From To Change 3620 MWRA Water Assessment $ 9,342,814 $ 8,832,742 $ (510,072) 3720 MWRA Wastewater Assessment $ 9,349,530 $ 8,861,891 $ (487,639) 4