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Council approves sewer personnel services; asks staff to verify water revenue shortfall
Summary
Council approved sewer personal services lines and discussed a large increase in projected sewer depreciation/transfers for 2026; staff will verify calculations and return with a detailed report on a water fund shortfall estimated at about $170,000.
Councilors spent substantial time on the sewer and water utility budgets during the Dec. 16 meeting, approving personnel services for sewer while deferring additional water operating approvals pending further verification.
Carmen and staff presented cash‑flow reports showing a notable jump in the sewer fund’s depreciation/transfer figure from about $226,448 in 2025 to an estimated $755,245 for 2026, driven by transfers the town plans to make into a sewer improvement fund for future projects. Staff said some of that increase reflects available beginning cash and that the town intends to earmark excess operating dollars for improvement projects rather than leaving them in operating accounts.
Councilors pressed staff to provide the supporting calculations and reconciliation that produced the higher depreciation number; staff agreed to consult Adam (the finance preparer) and return with a reconciled report at the next meeting. Council also discussed a projected shortfall in the water operating budget—about $170,000 in 2026—despite recent rate adjustments; staff said the shortfall is currently covered in fund balance but asked for time to reconcile rate‑study inputs and to propose options (rate changes, expenditure cuts, or delayed hires).
On the sewer side council approved the personal‑services portion of the sewer operating budget by motion and roll call, with staff noting they will bring capital project proposals and financing options to a January meeting. For water, council asked staff to provide a more detailed breakout by category and recommended a special meeting the following week to examine water numbers more closely.
What’s next: staff to verify Adam’s cash‑flow calculations, return with a reconciled report on the sewer depreciation increase, and provide a detailed category breakout for water revenues and expenditures ahead of the special meeting.
