Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget Recommendations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Tisbury FinCom backs most FY2027 budgets, recommends Reserve Fund increase and multiple capital articles
Summary
The Tisbury Finance & Advisory Committee on March 19 recommended the majority of FY2027 departmental budgets, proposed a $100,000 Reserve Fund increase, and advanced multiple capital and stabilization articles ahead of Annual Town Meeting.
The Tisbury Finance & Advisory Committee voted March 19 to recommend most FY2027 departmental budgets and several capital articles while flagging a handful of items for further review.
Alex Meleney and Allan Rogers moved the omnibus recommendation of department budgets and associated articles with several named exceptions; the motion passed unanimously, 7–0. Committee members recorded aye votes for a long list of accounts ranging from Police and Fire to Conservation and Library operations.
The committee discussed using a uniform 5% Other Than Personnel Spending (OTPS) reduction as a budget control measure rather than targeting individual departments, noting that the cuts were not "punishment" but rather an attempt to reduce the budget proportionally. The Chair also reported a proposed article to increase the Reserve Fund by $100,000.
The committee sought assurances that the Accounting office has sufficient funds for necessary training and certification, and flagged salary pressures in particular departments — notably the Animal Control Officer position and union-driven increases — for follow up. Town Administrator Joe LaCivita and Finance Director Elena De Foe were cited in committee discussion as understanding the budget components and constraints.
The FinCom praised members for deliberations and commended Melinda Loberg for covering quorum duties during the season. The committee also advanced scheduling tasks ahead of the April Annual Town Meeting and set a FinCom recommendation deadline of March 27, 2026.
