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York managers map special referendum path as ambulance asks for $180,000
Summary
Town manager told the Select Board that York Ambulance has requested $180,000 to cover an immediate shortfall and staff will prepare financial estimates for the budget committee; any town contribution would likely require a special referendum and voter approval.
The York Select Board heard an update July 13 from Town Manager Peter Joseph on an emergency funding request from York Ambulance that staff say totals $180,000.
Joseph said the town has divided work into two buckets: an immediate-needs category to keep ambulance service solvent this fiscal year and a longer-term contract negotiation ahead of the contract renewal next July. "The request from York Ambulance was a $180,000," Joseph said, adding that staff will work with the finance director to verify whether that amount is accurate.
Why it matters: the town manager said the money would likely have to come from fund balance and be presented to voters via a special referendum because it is not a discretionary sum the board can appropriate on its own. Joseph called for the budget committee and select board to review estimates and, if both agree, vote to put a question before voters this fall.
Board members pressed for oversight terms if additional taxpayer funds are provided. Robert (Select Board) asked whether the ambulance would report regularly; Joseph said staff have discussed arranging direct financial reporting and that public safety chiefs are meeting weekly with ambulance leadership.
What happens next: staff will have the finance director work with York Ambulance to produce a best-faith estimate of the shortfall, so the board, the budget committee and voters can see the numbers before any referendum is scheduled. No formal appropriation was made at the July 13 meeting.
Ending: The select board flagged the ambulance request for further review and asked for a timeline and for the budget committee to be briefed in August so members can consider whether to place a warrant item before voters.
