Budget committee approves $35,209.25 warrant to cover 2025 overruns

The Belgrade Budget Committee voted to authorize $35,209.25 from the town’s undesignated fund to cover several budget overruns from the 2025 fiscal period.

Committee Chair (S3) presented the breakdown during the meeting, saying: "So the total the total warrant is $35,209.25." The warrant covers a planning board reserve shortfall, debt service (paving-bond interest), workers’ compensation/insurance and related items. Committee member (S2) reported that the planning board reserve was overdrawn "by 12,246 and 25¢." Chair (S3) told the committee the undesignated fund balance printed that morning was "$2,995,328."

The vote followed discussion about whether the select board or staff could reallocate funds without voter approval. Members cited advice from the municipal attorney that funds voters originally authorized cannot be repurposed without returning to voters, so the committee brought the matter to a special town meeting warrant. Committee member (S2) summarized the legal constraint: the select board "cannot actually pay the bill without taxpayer permission."

Members debated ways to reduce recurrence, with Committee member (S2) proposing monthly financial reviews by the budget committee and select board so shortfalls are detected earlier. Chair (S3) and multiple members agreed that clearer internal policies could help, but they also noted expanding transfer authority could reduce voter oversight.

The committee approved the warrant with a recorded result of 4 yes, 0 no, 2 absent. Minutes will note the line-item breakdown discussed in the meeting packet. The committee also added a recurring agenda item to review options for clearer budget flexibility and a cost/benefit analysis of calling special town meetings.

Votes at a glance: the committee also voted to table the election of officers (4–0; 2 absent) and moved to forward an applicant’s file to the select board (see separate item).