Council signs treasurer’s warrants, approves $7,492.52 transfer to cover unexpected water rate increase

The South Berwick Town Council unanimously approved two treasurer’s warrants Tuesday and authorized a $7,492.52 transfer from the undesignated fund balance to cover an unanticipated water bill increase.

The moves were made after staff explained one warrant covered fiscal‑year‑2025 charges split across fiscal years and the other covered FY‑2026 obligations including school and county assessments. Finance staff told the council that while the budget had anticipated a rate increase and included an additional $29,974, the actual water company increase reached $37,466.84, producing a shortfall of $7,492.52 that could not be absorbed from other line items within the affected warrant articles.

Jan (finance staff) explained the warrants and why two were presented: splitting costs between fiscal years keeps the town’s books cleaner than a single large journal entry, she said. After that explanation the council voted to sign both warrants and to transfer the undesignated funds to cover the shortfall.

The council approved: signing the treasurer’s warrant for fiscal year 2025 dated 07/17/2025 (amount read aloud during the meeting) and signing the treasurer’s warrant for fiscal year 2026 dated 07/17/2025. The council then approved the finance recommendation to transfer $7,492.52 from the undesignated fund balance to cover the water billing shortfall. Councilors emphasized there was no choice but to pay the bills.

Ending: Finance staff said they expect undesignated fund balances to increase by year‑end and will return to council with other budget items as needed; no further budget adjustments were approved at Tuesday’s meeting.