Budget committee flags payroll shortfalls from default, approves several department budgets and raises fireworks line

Alton Town’s Budget Committee devoted its Oct. 16 session primarily to reviewing operating budgets, focusing discussion on payroll costs left uncovered by an earlier default and on how to present consolidated spending and revenue history to the committee.

Committee members and staff said the dominant budget pressure is payroll. Department heads were told to prioritize wages and to leave nonessential projects out of proposed budgets because the town is still reconciling a mid‑year increase granted in 2023 along with a recommended 4% merit increase for 2025. Staff said the mid‑2023 adjustment for retention—described repeatedly as a roughly 10% COLA given mid‑year—was not fully reflected in the default budget, so departments are now consolidating lines to find the money to cover those increases without layoffs.

Finance staff told the committee they are awaiting benefit and insurance rates from PrimeX; once those figures arrive the final few departmental budgets can be completed. Laura (staff) is assembling a multi‑year spreadsheet and Ryan (town staff) agreed to run BMSI queries so the committee will be able to see actual expenditures for fiscal years 2022 and 2023 alongside 2024 year‑to‑date spending and the 2025 proposals.

The committee also discussed operational details raised in budget justifications: consolidated office‑supply ordering through the second‑floor administrative office (managed by Stacy), contracted transcription services for minutes (contractor Jennifer Ruehl), and Whitley Consulting’s role in assessing and defending property revaluations before the state bureau. Members flagged the transcription line as a place where historical spending is low this year and suggested it could be reduced safely, depending on the number of meetings held.

Several capital and contingency points were raised: the town has two older town‑hall Tacomas used by administrative staff that share fuel and maintenance costs across departments; there is an existing vehicle capital reserve for the trucks to be tapped for major repairs or replacement; and FEMA reimbursements from recent storms are expected to cover roughly $700,000 of approximately $1.4 million in road reconstruction costs, reducing the tax‑funding needed for that work. Staff reported the town’s fund balance is about $4.6 million and said the select board is considering using a portion of that to reduce next year’s tax impact, either by direct warrant articles or by applying fund balance to operating articles.

Fireworks spending drew a lengthy exchange. The committee was told that contracts in the pyrotechnics industry have tightened and prices for Fourth‑of‑July shows have risen sharply; one contractor that had worked with the town was acquired and availability is limited. Committee members voted to increase the fireworks line item (agenda line 802) to $32,800 and adjust the relevant bottom line in the budget summary to $3,390 (as presented at the meeting) so the town’s gross budget reflects the actual contracted amounts; members said they expect to present the gross figure to the select board and the public so voters can see the full cost.

Votes at a glance (motions recorded in session): - Amend agenda to include restructuring: motion passed (voice vote). - Approve agenda as amended: motion passed (voice vote). - Approve audio/visual line (4199) at $2,000: approved (voice vote). - Approve Building Department operating budget (4192) — total shown in meeting materials: approved (voice vote). - Approve Conservation Commission budget at $23,247 (reduced from the department request): approved (voice vote). - Approve Cemetery budget at $6,183: approved (voice vote). - Approve DPW Grounds & Maintenance (4194) at $47,600: approved (voice vote). - Approve Emergency Management (4290) at $11,003: approved (voice vote). - Approve Gilman Museum operating budget (amount in packet): approved (voice vote). - Approve Library operating budget at $177,106: approved (voice vote). - Approve Street Lights (4316) at $33,500: approved (voice vote). - Approve Elections & Registrations budget (no election year next year): approved (voice vote). - Approve Welfare budget (general assistance) at $27,989 (per meeting discussion): approved (voice vote). - Increase patriotic/fireworks line (802) to $32,800 and adjust bottom line to $3,390: motion passed (voice vote).

What the committee asked staff to provide before the next meeting: - A BMSI query (Laura/Ryan) with expenditure history for fiscal years 2022, 2023 and 2024 year‑to‑date for each department so the committee can compare prior spending to the proposed lines; this should also include revenues where possible. - A completed wage‑impact spreadsheet showing dollar effects for 1% steps across wage lines (staff said 1% is roughly $48,000 town‑wide based on preliminary work). - Clarification of encumbrances from 2024 and a list of items staff has already encumbered (to be shared prior to deliberative sessions).

The committee scheduled follow‑up budget sessions; department heads for large budgets (police, fire, DPW) will be asked to attend the next meeting to answer questions about payroll and service levels. No final tax rate or warrant decisions were made at this session; members emphasized they plan to show voters gross costs and any offsets (revenues, trust funds, fund balance) transparently during the public hearing and warrant process.