Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget Transfers topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Finance committee approves package of three budget transfers, including funds for airport consultant
Summary
The Town of Yarmouth Finance Committee approved three budget transfers to close older articles and redirect funds, including a transfer to hire an airport consultant to represent town interests during a nearby airport master plan and runway proposal.
The Town of Yarmouth Finance Committee voted to approve three budget transfers that will close out several older appropriation “articles” and repurpose the funds for current needs, including money to hire an airport consultant.
Ed Sentio, who presented the transfers to the committee, said the first transfer will pay a consultant experienced in Federal Aviation Administration rules to engage with the airport on a proposed runway expansion and related master-plan work. “This is somebody with decades of experience who can speak the language of the FAA and help get better responses from the airport,” Sentio said, explaining the consultant will aim to reduce impacts on Hyannis Park and other neighborhoods.
Committee members asked about the mechanics of moving funds across departments. Robert questioned why leftover balances are not returned to the general fund for competitive reallocation; Sentio replied that closing out older articles and transferring balances between departmental budgets is an accepted way to repurpose funds and that department heads and the town administrator have reviewed the items.
Jack asked what the town should expect from the consultant. Sentio said the consultant could propose alternative plans and negotiate with the airport to limit adverse effects, including early-morning flights over residential areas. “That’s part of the hope,” Sentio added when asked whether the consultant could reduce early-morning overflights.
The committee considered the three transfers as a package. After a roll-call affirmation, members voted to approve the transfers and authorized the chair to sign the documents.
The committee also discussed two other transfers included in the package: one to pay for a contractor to perform Title 5 septic inspections for the health department (using professional/technical funds after CARES Act reimbursements ended) and a third to clean up older budget articles so funds can be used where needed this fiscal year.
Next procedural steps: staff will prepare document signatures for the chair and circulate final paperwork; the transfers will be executed according to the town’s normal accounting procedures.
