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Select Board and Finance Committee approve multiple FY26 interfund transfers to close budget year
Summary
In a joint session the Select Board and Finance Committee approved a slate of interfund transfers to cover FY26 budget shortfalls across departments (central purchasing, treasurer/collector, legal, police overtime, insurance, recreation and benefits), citing unusually high utility and insurance costs and one‑time pressures that left several lines in deficit.
The Dennis Select Board and Finance Committee met jointly and approved multiple interfund transfers to close out fiscal year 2026, covering deficits caused by rising utility and insurance costs, increased credit card fees and unanticipated service demands.
Finance Director Jose Cardinal walked members through a long list of transfers the town required to balance departmental budgets. Examples included $113,000 to central purchasing (covering energy and electricity), a $77,000 transfer to the treasurer/collector for credit card fees and tax‑title activity, $46,000 to cover legal counsel fees, and a $100,000 transfer for police overtime. Town officials said energy costs (electricity) contributed materially to deficits, particularly with new buildings coming online and unusually hot summer usage. The town administrator noted FY26 had been “one of the most challenging budget years we have faced in recent memory.”
Committee members asked for further discussion on recurring pressures (credit card fee policy, ongoing electric cost escalation) and suggested the town present follow‑up options for FY27 budgeting. Each transfer motion was moved, seconded and unanimously approved by both the Select Board and the Finance Committee during the meeting. Admin staff said where transfers were not feasible the town would otherwise have used free cash or a town‑meeting article; the transfers were presented as the appropriate end‑of‑year cure to avoid mid‑year service disruptions.
The joint session also noted that special town meeting planning and warrant work is underway (special town meeting scheduled for Oct. 6) and that the town will continue reviewing longer‑term budget strategies as FY27 commences.
