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Council on Aging warns FY27 budget understates rising utilities and repair costs
Summary
The Council on Aging told the Gardner City Council its operating budget is running over due to higher utility bills and two major repairs; the department has requested a roughly $14,000 supplemental and flagged a salary-step discrepancy for its director.
The Council on Aging told the Gardner City Council that its operating budget is running behind projections and that the mayor’s FY27 request underestimates likely costs.
The council heard from the Council on Aging representative, who said, “To date … we spent $231,495.56,” and that the mayor’s proposed budget shows about a 4% reduction from current levels despite rising expenses. The representative warned that utilities are notably higher — “we're about 24% higher for Unitil, 13% higher for NRG” — and that two extraordinary repairs this year cost roughly $13,000 in total.
Why this matters: the department said it has asked the mayor and city auditor for a supplemental “of about $14,000” to cover repairs and utility overages. The representative also raised a personnel concern, saying the department head’s salary step was not reflected correctly in the mayor’s proposal and that, if moved to the appropriate step, the salary would be “around $71,050.”
City staff confirmed the council’s general approach to budgeting — program expenses often flow through enterprise or revolving funds rather than the general fund — and said some operating expenses can be reclassified or transferred where rules allow. The representative said the department collects program revenue (about $80,000 this year) that primarily funds program costs, but that operating lines remain vulnerable to spikes in utilities and unplanned repairs.
Councilors asked for clarification on the supplemental request and on which line items could be shifted to other accounts. The representative said staff had already reclassified some costs and made transfers (for example, a $2,700 transfer out of general operating to cover maintenance items), but that additional transfers are likely small compared with the gaps identified.
The council did not take a formal vote on the supplemental request during the meeting. Next steps identified: staff will verify the supplemental request details with the city auditor and mayor’s office and follow up with any recommended transfers or adjustments.
