Finance committee defers decision on Barnstable County dredge administrative hire pending revenue update

The Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates standing committee on finance spent substantial time Monday discussing a proposed administrative hire for the county dredge operation and agreed to defer a final vote until the committee receives updated revenue estimates.

Committee members debated whether recently approved dredge rates and the department’s unpredictable revenue stream would cover the cost of an additional staff position. Several delegates cited permitting delays, seasonal restrictions and weather as continuing constraints on revenue the dredge can generate.

"Permitting, you know, clearly has been a significant problem," Ken Cirillo, director of the dredge, told the committee. "Things are in good shape right now. We have several other towns that are pending their renewals. It's an ongoing challenge for us to make sure that happens." He also flagged weather and seasonal windows as principal limits on how many projects the dredge can complete each year.

Finance Director Carol Coppola said the new dredge position would take on accounting and administrative tasks currently performed partly by the finance department and partly by the dredge director. "That position would include those tasks as well," Coppola said, listing invoice processing, requisitions and year-end closing among current functions. She said a long-tenured finance assistant recently retired and the department proposed a financial analyst position to replace that role in the finance budget.

Several delegates asked whether the dredge could absorb the new hire without a budget supplement. "I would feel uncomfortable approving additional staff…for positions that, right now we don't know whether or not what they can bring in will cover it," Delegate Warner said, and indicated he would not support the hire until revenues are clearer. Delegate Frizzell and others urged caution and suggested considering part-time or contract alternatives.

Cirillo said the proposed dredge hire would also help pursue grants and other revenue sources the department has not been able to chase. "I see that person, spending a fair amount of their time chasing after applying for and even managing the grants," he said.

Chair Carl Oman closed discussion by asking whether the committee preferred a vote immediately or to await additional information. The committee unanimously directed the administration to provide a revenue update and postponed the decision. Coppola committed to providing an estimate of FY25 dredge revenues by Wednesday.

The committee did not take a formal vote on hiring or budget changes for the dredge at the meeting; instead the matter was tabled for further information and a possible vote at a later meeting.

The deferral leaves the dredge operating under the proposed budget as submitted until the committee reconvenes with the updated revenue forecast.

The dredge discussion occurred during the finance committee meeting and was carried over for further action; no supplemental appropriation or personnel appointment was approved during this session.