BET Budget Committee reviews FY27 departmental budgets; ferry repairs and tanker purchase highlighted

GREENWICH — The Board of Estimate and Taxation Budget Committee on Feb. 26 reviewed proposed FY2026–27 operating and capital budgets for Parks & Recreation, Fleet, Information Technology and Health and identified several capital and staffing pressures that committee members said will need continued attention.

Parks & Recreation staff presented an operating budget increase of 2.8%, slightly above the Committee guideline, citing a projected $16.94 minimum wage and new sick‑leave provisions affecting roughly 300 seasonal employees. Department staff said full‑time headcount remains at 101 and proposed FTEs rise modestly from 59.66 to 59.85; they also projected a $495,000 revenue increase tied to an updated fee schedule approved Dec. 23.

Committee member Leslie Tarkington questioned whether some golf course work (tee box and bunker repairs) should be classified as operating rather than capital; staff responded that asset lifespans of about 10–20 years support capital classification. Staff also described a substitute capital‑improvement plan trade that would defer a Byram dock concrete overhang repair in order to accelerate design funding for replacement courts at the Cohen Eastern Greenwich Civic Center (CEGCC).

The Committee heard an extended briefing on ferry operations. Staff said Coast Guard inspection findings shifted the near‑term capital focus from engine repowering to steel and structural work required for continued certification of the large ferry. A new vessel, staff estimated, would cost about $5 million and likely carry fewer passengers than the current boats. Staff also committed to deliver a staffing and financial model for potential year‑round rink operations the next day and said a revolving fund structure (like the golf course model) is under consideration.

Fleet staff proposed a 5% operating increase, with motor fuel and lubricants rising 30% to reflect newly handled school bus fueling at the Fleet facility; Board of Education reimbursement will offset the fuel line change in net budget impact. Staff described elevated parts costs — about $45,000 over a recent three‑week storm period versus a typical weekly parts expense near $10,000 — and noted continued reliance on some outsourced repairs for capacity and tooling reasons.

On fire apparatus, staff clarified the Town is purchasing one new tanker for $1.1 million to house at Round Hill and will contribute 50% toward a Banksville tanker. Fleet Director Jay Domeseck requested advance notice when town‑owned equipment assigned to volunteer companies will require Fleet maintenance so the department can plan capacity and tooling needs.

Information Technology staff outlined rising vendor subscription costs — a 6% increase in the software rental/maintenance line — and presented cybersecurity spending now estimated at about $855,000, driven by remediation, infrastructure upgrades and increased incident response activity. The Committee was briefed on near‑term IT priorities including an online permitting expansion, the cloud phone system rollout and an underground fiber connection between Town Hall and the Safety Complex to improve network resilience.

Health Department staff proposed a $2,819,148 budget (a $81,987, or ~3%, increase over FY26) with full‑time salaries comprising roughly 84% of the total. The department proposed a part‑time Public Health Educator (.74 FTE, approximately $43,000) previously funded by ARPA; staff noted reduced immunization volumes tied to expanded pharmacy vaccination services and highlighted potential grant expirations that could affect revenue and programs.

Votes at a glance - Enter executive session to discuss labor strategy for two labor contracts (Greenwich Firefighters Local 1042 and GMEA): motion by Joe Kelly, seconded by Doug Fenton; passed 4‑0‑0. (Entered at 11:33 AM.) - Exit executive session: motion by Doug Fenton, seconded by Joe Kelly; passed 4‑0‑0. (Exited at 12:22 PM.) - Human Resources Committee reported votes on several position and pay items: Police Property & Evidence Clerk (Approved 3‑0‑1); Police FOIA & Records Specialist (Approved 3‑0‑1); Police Animal Control Officer (Failed 0‑3‑1); cybersecurity temp & IT temp (Approved 4‑0‑0); HR Specialist (Approved 4‑0‑0); M&C compensation increase to 2.75% (Approved 4‑0‑0); Registrar of Voters salary increase (Approved 4‑0‑0).

The Committee adjourned at 2:50 PM. The minutes were submitted and signed by Leo Berisha, Recording Secretary, and Laura Erickson, Chair.