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Select Board agrees to pursue ambulance-fund restructure, proposes capital-reserve transfer
Summary
After extended discussion the board voted to put paired warrant articles on the ballot to (1) establish and fund an ambulance service capital reserve (proposed $150,000 transfer from the ambulance revolving fund) and (2) dissolve the revolving fund if the first article passes. Town counsel will review final language.
The Candia Select Board moved forward a two-part approach to reorganize how ambulance-service revenue is handled, voting Dec. 8 to place linked warrant articles on the ballot that would create a capital reserve for ambulance capital assets and dissolve the existing ambulance revolving fund if voters approve the capital-reserve measure.
Board members and staff reviewed the legal and accounting implications of retaining a dedicated revolving fund versus a capital reserve. Under the proposed plan the town would transfer about $150,000 from the existing ambulance revolving fund into a new Ambulance Service Capital Reserve Fund. The proposal also outlines an annual funding concept — commonly discussed at $75,000 a year going forward — that would allow the town to build a predictable capital-account for ambulances and equipment without treating all ambulance revenue as unrestricted anticipated revenue in the operating budget.
Select members said the arrangement would let the town preserve funds for capital replacements (ambulances, medical and communications equipment) while ensuring the town treasurer has custody and the fund remains subject to oversight. Some board members preferred rescinding the revolving fund entirely and moving monies into the new capital reserve; others wanted contingent language so the revolving fund would be dissolved only if voters approve the capital-reserve article.
The board asked staff to confirm the current revolving-fund balance (discussed in the meeting as roughly $150,000–$160,000) and to have the town attorney draft precise warrant language and the contingent article numbering. Officials emphasized no immediate tax impact from the proposed initial transfer; final accounting treatment and any future appropriations would be subject to future warrant articles and voter approval.
What happens next: The board forwarded the proposed warrant wording and asked the town attorney to prepare legally precise language. If voters approve the capital-reserve article and the contingent dissolution article, the town will transfer the indicated funds into the capital reserve and begin the annual funding schedule at the amounts set by voters.
