Select Board approves IT budget after questions about past website payments from impact fees

Town staff presented the FY26 information-systems budget on Dec. 30, and the Brentwood Select Board approved the proposed $90,049 package while asking staff to confirm whether prior website payments were properly charged to impact fees.

Julie (town staff) said the new website carries a recurring maintenance/licensing cost (presented as $65.05 in the current-year line) and that the board previously agreed to pay some website costs from impact fees. Several members said they remembered a prior arrangement but wanted the minutes checked to confirm whether impact fees were properly used and whether multi‑year contracting justified using impact fees for the original payment. One member cited minutes from Nov. 21, 2023 as a starting point.

The IT presenter summarized equipment and maintenance needs, including proposals for refurbished hardware and a server/hypervisor replacement schedule. Board members discussed whether to purchase a refurbished Dell micro PC for an existing meeting-camera console and whether a larger monitor was needed; members suggested capital reserves or impact fees as possible funding sources depending on whether the purchase constituted maintenance or a new service.

After discussion, a motion to approve the information‑systems budget passed by roll call. Staff will review prior minutes and contracts and report back about use of impact fees and any necessary bookkeeping adjustments.