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Readfield reviews near-final FY27 budget; mill rate estimate set at 11.324
Summary
Select Board and town staff reviewed a near-complete FY27 budget draft, noting updated revenue-sharing estimates, a mill-rate estimate of 11.324, a sizable ambulance cost increase, and line-item adjustments for transfer-station and household hazardous waste collection.
The Readfield Select Board on March 9 reviewed detailed changes to the draft fiscal 2027 budget as staff moved the document toward a joint Select Board–budget-committee review and final town-warrant posting.
Town Manager Eric said state revenue-sharing estimates were revised upward by about $7,000 compared with earlier projections and that the packet shows warrants 35 and 36 totaling $64,348.93. Staff set an intermediate mill-rate estimate in the draft at 11.324. The treasurer reported that reconciliations for February were complete and that the FY25 audit draft is expected in March with a select-board presentation planned for April.
Several line items drew focused attention: cable-franchise revenues from Spectrum were reported at $11,488 and are trending down; motor-vehicle receipts rose about 31.5% for the month; transfer-station fees remained modestly down in the month (9.4%) but showed recovery from a larger prior decline. Staff added a $4,000 allowance for household hazardous-waste collection in the transfer-station budget and corrected an earlier dispatch estimate that reduced projected spending by roughly $6,000 in one line. The board also noted the budget committee had requested $25,000 for a beach capital reserve; staff will reconcile spreadsheet placement where $5,000 appeared in one line and $20,000 in another.
Ambulance service estimates were a notable pressure point: staff said projected Winthrop ambulance costs increased substantially in the packet (discussed as a roughly 50% jump in one year), and the board asked staff to continue pressing for clearer service levels tied to the cost formula. The board discussed whether to fund certain capital items by saving or bonding, with at least one board member recommending starting a modest $25,000 annual reserve for longer-term projects like a salt/sand shed or beach structure rather than seeking a large bond immediately.
Next steps: staff will reconcile the beach-line items, continue budget refinement with the budget committee, and hold a joint Select Board/budget committee meeting April 15. The board plans final warrant drafting and public-hearing dates ahead of town meeting.
