Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Essex County sees roughly $4.8M FY27 gap; board approves $11,437 projector for high school
Summary
At a March 24 budget work session, county staff presented a FY27 draft showing a roughly $4.8 million shortfall; the board approved a $11,437 CIP purchase for a new high‑school auditorium projector and scheduled follow‑up budget work sessions ahead of an April 14 public hearing.
Essex County staff presented a draft FY27 budget at a March 24 work session that, as presented, left the county about $4.8 million short of balancing revenues and expenditures.
Anita, leading the budget review, told board members the draft shows roughly a $1 million reduction in revenues and about a $3.2 million increase in expenditures compared with the current year, producing an estimated $4.8 million shortfall that the county must address before adoption. She noted that some large variances relate to moving centralized services and building/zoning line items, plus a planned capital program that will shift some costs into the capital fund. "So, right now we're anticipating a 1 million dollar reduction in revenues and a 3.2 million dollar increase in expenditures... 4.8 million is what we need to come up with," Anita said.
Board members discussed revenue drivers and risks. Staff said that fund 150 (a BATTI grant) includes about $5.6 million from DHCD and roughly $1.7 million in county match; county staff also noted a $224,000 decline in general property tax revenue due to changes in elderly and veteran exemptions and that interest income is expected to be lower.
Projector purchase: Dr. Jones presented a CIP request to replace a failing auditorium projector at Essex High School and said three quotes were obtained; he stated the preferred option, including installation, costs $11,437. After discussing the required budget action form and audit documentation, the board moved, seconded and approved an $11,437 purchase to be funded from the county‑held school capital improvement account. The motion passed by voice vote.
Next steps and schedule: board members agreed to concentrate on scrubbing departmental requests and to hold a special work session on Tuesday the 31st at 8:00 a.m. to prepare for the advertised public hearing on April 14 for the budget and tax rate.
Why it matters: the board must close a multi‑million‑dollar gap before the public hearing; decisions about reserves, transfers and optional school programs will affect county services and the school budget.
The board recorded the projector purchase and set follow‑up sessions to continue budget deliberations.
