Norwalk BET approves transfers to cover city clerk notices and registrar postage; contingency trimmed

The Board of Estimate and Taxation on Jan. 12 approved two budget transfers, moving dollars to the city clerk's publication account and to the registrar of voters to cover postage and election‑related true‑ups.

Tom, city finance staff, told the board the first transfer requests $5,000 “to get us through the end of fiscal 26” for the city clerk’s “publication of notices and reports,” a line that historically has been underfunded and pays for required legal advertisements in the Norwalk Hour. Tom said the administration will request $30,000 for that account in the FY27 budget to reflect recurring publishing needs.

Registrar staff Diana described the second transfer as a contingency true‑up driven by redistricting mailings and the city’s recent 14‑day early‑voting schedule. “So our postage funds are running a little low,” Diana said, adding that the voter canvas — a statutorily required mailing that uses ERIC and U.S. Postal Service change‑of‑address data — begins in January. She told the board the registrar had already collected much of the outstanding work but that final bills (for DPW moving of equipment and tabulator maintenance) may still arrive and staff would report back on any additional true‑ups.

Board members asked whether prior contingency approvals already covered the registrar’s unexpected costs. Tom and registrar staff explained some charges arrived after last month’s contingency request and that certain new costs — including incremental wages, overtime, temporary staffing, supplies and postage — produced an additional request. The Registrar’s packet itemized roughly $29,000 of additional election costs (including about $11,000 postage, $8,000 supplies, $5,000 overtime and $5,000 temporary staffing) related to the September primary and November election.

Tom also updated the group on the contingency tracker: the fiscal year began with just under $1,300,000 in contingency; after last month’s ~ $164,000 approval and the evening’s transfers, Tom said projected actual contingency draws will total about $600,000, leaving roughly $700,000 for the remainder of the fiscal year.

The board approved the transfers by voice vote. Members asked staff to confirm whether any remaining invoices are expected and to alert the BET if further true‑ups are required.

Next steps: staff will notify the board if additional late election charges are received and the administration will include a larger ongoing publication line in the FY27 budget request.