Committee recommends Facilities and Registry budgets to finance committee

The Cape Cod Regional Government Assembly of Delegates standing committee on public services voted unanimously March 26 to recommend the Facilities Department and Registry budgets to the finance committee following a presentation by the county facilities director.

Director Reynolds, who presented the Facilities Department request, told delegates the department's overall budget ask rose by roughly 6 percent year over year, with some line items increasing as much as 8 percent tied to recently ratified labor agreements and other costs. "The department's up around 6%. We saw an 8% increase," Director Reynolds said.

The budget includes several one-time requests and near-term costs Director Reynolds described as necessary to maintain courthouse and complex operations. Those items include a $25,000 one-time retirement payout, a materials-only request of $11,000 to repair exterior trim, siding, a door and ramp at the recycling shed on the complex, and a $10,000 one-time tree-pruning contract. Reynolds also described a planned replacement of the First District Court building automation controller and associated programming and software work, which he described in the presentation as a roughly $12,000 expense (listed in the operating budget as a $12,000 capital outlay).

Reynolds said that a recently ratified collective bargaining agreement with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) produced salary increases that are reflected in the request. He said the agreement runs from July 2024 through July 2027, covers maintenance and custodial staff in the Facilities Department (about 16.5 positions including part-time), and includes cost-of-living adjustments and an added step to the salary table. "It was retroactive back to July 2024," he said, and the COLA language mirrors what the county approves annually.

Delegates asked for clarifications on several points. Delegate Doug Frizzell asked which union negotiated the contract and the period covered; Director Reynolds identified SEIU and the July 2024'027 term and estimated the COLA at about 3 percent. Frizzell also asked why the roughly $12,000 building automation item was placed in the operating budget rather than the capital budget; Reynolds said it did not meet the county's capital threshold (five years and $50,000) and therefore remained in operating.

Reynolds described how rental reimbursements from trial court tenants offset Facilities costs. He said the first district courthouse reimburses about 97 percent of its building costs, the superior court about 75 percent, registered deeds about 50 percent, and that Orleans Second District Court returns 100 percent of its costs. The consolidated complex, which houses county personnel and equipment, is reimbursed at about 78 percent. Reynolds said the quarterly audited rental payments typically total about $1.8 million to $1.9 million annually.

After the presentation and a brief period for questions, Delegate Fazlo moved that the committee recommend approval of the Facilities Department budget to the finance committee; the motion was seconded and passed on a 5-0 roll-call vote.

The committee then considered the Registry budget. The Registry did not appear at the meeting; the clerk told delegates the registry representatives would not join. Delegate Doug Frizzell moved that the committee recommend approval of the Registry budget as presented to the finance committee; Delegate Fletcher seconded. The committee approved that motion on a unanimous roll call as well.

No formal amendments were made to either budget in committee. The chairs said delegates could send additional questions for the Registry to the clerk if needed before the finance committee review.

The committee adjourned after completing the two recommendations.