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BET committee advances strategic budget guidelines after debate over process
Summary
The PET budget committee reviewed a strategic budget guidelines document intended to guide FY28 budgeting, debated its drafting and distribution process (including proposed AI committee involvement), and voted to advance the document 2-0 with two abstentions; a first read of formal budget guidelines is planned for September.
The PET budget committee discussed and voted to advance a strategic budget guidelines document aimed at framing fiscal 28 priorities and expectations for town departments and the Board of Education.
The chair introduced the document as a framework meant to provide early guidance to departments. Mister Fisher said he believed distribution should be managed by the 1st selectman and appointing authorities rather than the BET sending the memo directly to all department heads, and he urged closer coordination with the town's AI committee. "There needs to be a cohesive approach on AI and that it really ought to be adopted by the AI committee," Fisher said.
Mister Fenton and other members said the document reflected input gathered across town departments and represented a fiscally conservative, data- and KPI-driven approach that would help departments prepare budgets with clearer evaluation criteria. Several members urged broader, bipartisan participation in drafting or a public working session to refine specifics; Pellegrino suggested a working session for departments to present on an agreed set of topics.
After discussion and two abstentions, the committee voted to advance the strategic guidelines (passed 2-0 with 2 abstentions). The chair said the committee plans a first read of formal budget guidelines in September and hoped a draft would be available before Labor Day. Members emphasized the document is intentionally general to avoid singling out departments and said a subsequent, more specific budget-guidelines document will follow in the fall.
The committee also discussed operational topics raised in the document, including cross-training, overtime versus headcount, targeted investments (for example energy management options), and an inventory of software subscriptions being conducted by the audit committee. Members said the guidance is intended to give departments lead time for issues such as collective bargaining and capital planning.
