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Brooks council hears first reading on FY2024 budget amendment showing higher revenues, modest overspending
Summary
At a Sept. 16 first reading, Town Clerk Lorey Spohr told the Brooks Town Council that FY2024 revenues finished about $95,200 above the adopted forecast and expenses were about $21,600 over, producing an unaudited proposed addition of $73,613 to the town’s fund balance; approval is expected Oct. 21.
The Brooks Town Council on Sept. 16 received a first reading of a proposed amendment to the town’s fiscal year 2024 budget, with Town Clerk Lorey Spohr reporting higher‑than‑expected revenues and a modest overspend on expenses.
Spohr told the council the adopted revenue estimate for FY2024 was $404,447 and actual revenue closed at $499,643, an increase of $95,196. Expenses were budgeted at $404,447 and closed at $426,030, an overage of $21,583. Taken together, those changes produce an unaudited proposed addition of $73,613 to the town’s fund balance, which Spohr said would bring the unaudited FY2024 fund balance to $467,767 (about eleven months of operating reserves, by her calculation).
Spohr also reported that LMIG (Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant) restricted funds were budgeted at $15,000 for revenue but came in at $41,315, an increase of $26,315; no LMIG expenses were charged during FY2024, leaving $41,315 in restricted LMIG funds, she said.
During the public hearing, resident David Harris asked how much of the town’s payments to the town attorney were attributable to him. Manager M. Ungaro responded that litigation matters are discussed in executive session and not detailed in open session; Spohr said an open‑records request could be submitted for non‑litigation invoices. Ungaro added that none of the individual FY2024 invoices exceeded the town manager’s $5,000 approval authority, so no separate approvals were required, and that a prior budget amendment had been needed for a roof replacement because that expense exceeded the manager’s approval limit.
Mayor Daniel Langford opened the hearing at 6:44 p.m. and closed it at 6:50 p.m.; no council action was taken during the first reading. Spohr said the council will be asked to approve the FY2024 amended budget at the second reading scheduled for the Oct. 21 council meeting.
The council voted unanimously earlier in the meeting on routine motions to adopt the meeting agenda and to approve the Aug. 19 meeting minutes; those procedural votes were separate from the budget matter.
Next step: the council will consider formal adoption of the FY2024 amendment at its Oct. 21 meeting, when the council may vote to finalize the changes Spohr outlined.
