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Finance Committee reviews general assistance spending, LIHEAP reimbursements and benevolent fund as winter costs drive demand
Summary
Committee heard that FY25 year‑to‑date net general assistance spending is about $210,000; the town contracts with the county for GA services and expects a 70/30 reimbursement split with the state. LIHEAP and benevolent funds were discussed as primary heating assistance sources.
Manager Matt told the committee the town’s contracted general assistance (GA) program is run by the county and the town budgets its net share after state reimbursement. Matt said the town’s FY25 year‑to‑date net cost was about $210,000.
“We work with them through the Benevolent Fund with Paige as well, for heating assistance,” Matt said, describing a layered approach: first enroll eligible households in the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which he said supplies roughly 75% of heating assistance funds, and then use local benevolent funding for remaining needs. Matt explained the town’s GA reimbursement structure as roughly a 70% state reimbursement and a 30% town net cost for the contracted service.
County Manager Galey informed the town that the county is not increasing GA contract costs this year, Matt said; the manager added that the town is budgeting an estimate of $20,000 as the town’s net GA expense (the transcript shows the town uses a $70/$30 split to estimate the town’s net line). Committee members discussed timing — most winter heating costs occur earlier in the fiscal year — and the possibility that federal funding changes could alter LIHEAP availability. The manager advised planning conservatively for federal uncertainty and noted the council could use the benevolent fund as a contingency if LIHEAP levels drop in future years.
No formal motion was recorded. The manager and committee discussed monitoring actuals through the remainder of the fiscal year and reviewing the town’s benevolent fund reserves if federal support changes.
