Finance committee votes to forward FY2028 budget-guidelines resolution to full assembly

The Cape Cod Regional Government Assembly of Delegates' standing committee on finance voted 3-0 Aug. 10 to recommend a resolution that would set guidelines for the preparation of the fiscal year 2028 operating and capital budgets. Deputy Speaker Freisel moved to send the draft to the full assembly and Delegate O'Malley seconded; Clerk Fletcher recorded a 3-0 roll-call in favor (Deputy Speaker Freisel, Vice Chair Killian, Delegate O'Malley), with Delegate Gallagher and Chair Oman absent.

Committee members said the resolution is intended to guide the Board of Regional Commissioners and the regional administrator in developing budget proposals under the assembly charter. Administrator Dutton reviewed three drafting suggestions during the meeting, including changing mandatory-sounding words in the resolution to softer terms and updating references to the county's free-cash policy. "Our current policy...is to try to keep a balance of 15% of our annual budget," Administrator Dutton said, noting the draft currently references 10% and recommending a change. Clerk Fletcher said she would incorporate the edits discussed and circulate a final copy for written confirmation from delegates.

The committee also discussed personnel step-differentials, timing for finalizing free-cash calculations, and the role of various stabilization funds; members agreed to consider a broader review of stabilization funds at a later finance meeting. With the edits confirmed and the majority in favor, the committee voted to forward the resolution to the full assembly for consideration.