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State supplements trim Woodbridge's mill-rate increase; board reviews FY26 position
Summary
Board of Finance member Beth said Woodbridge received about $40,000 in late state supplements (education and casino funds), which the town applied to reduce the approved mill-rate increase slightly. Town staff told the board FY26 should end near break-even but discussed encumbrances and contingency transfers.
Beth, a member of the Board of Finance, told the Board of Selectmen the state made post-budget supplemental allocations that benefited several towns. "Woodbridge got 26,000 in supplemental education and 14,000 from the casino fund total for about $40,000," she said, and added the town applied the money to the mill rate, bringing the final mill-rate increase down from about 4.02% to 3.99%.
Town staff walked the board through FY26 year-to-date numbers and explained how encumbrances and pending bills change the percent-used metrics. Staff said the town will be "pretty close to breaking even" on July 1 but cautioned that lines showing greater than 100% used include encumbered funds and not all invoices have posted; contingency transfers and internal line transfers are standard tools to cover small overages.
Board members asked for clarification on encumbrances, blanket purchase orders and how contingency funds are applied. Staff explained encumbrances represent purchase orders and are reduced as bills come in; blanket purchase orders are used for frequently used vendors and allow the town to encumber a full amount rather than open a new purchase order for each invoice. For larger shortfalls (for example, extensive repair and maintenance overages), staff said the board would need to refer to the Board of Finance for additional funds.
Members noted several large capital items on the horizon — including roof replacements, HVAC work and a possible school referendum — which will be considered during upcoming budget cycles and may require bonding or special town meetings.
Next steps: staff will continue closing FY26, monitor encumbrances and bring specific requests to the Board of Finance and Board of Selectmen if contingency or additional appropriations are needed.
