Committee presses finance staff for clearer appropriation reporting; backs planned efficiency study

Committee members raised concerns about a recently distributed appropriation report that appeared incomplete and dated; Finance Director John Steinberg acknowledged an interim export was used and said a corrected report will be prepared before fiscal year close.

“I’ll take a look at the report because it should have been the same as we always did,” Steinberg said, acknowledging the version distributed included zeros and missing approved amounts and that the finance office will produce a current management summary. Members asked for a higher‑level management report that flags significant variances so the committee can spot departmental issues without parsing hundreds of line items.

Separately, members discussed an RFP for an efficiency study jointly funded by the town and the schools. The study’s RFP had been prepared, committee members said, and they requested that an AFC representative be involved in contractor review and selection. Members said the study should encourage departments to identify near‑term efficiency actions and set expectations so department heads can start planning before next year’s budget cycle.

Finance staff said the town is preparing to standardize charts of accounts and finalize the scope of work for the efficiency study; the timeline for contractor kickoff remains subject to final contract language.

Next steps: finance staff to reissue a corrected appropriation/management report and provide digital exports for committee analysis; the moderator and designated AFC members will coordinate with town and school staff on the efficiency RFP review process.