Preliminary Fiscal Year 2024 Operating and Capital Budget Recommendations

The budget process started in October with distribution of capital request forms to Town departments. In January, departments received instructions on submitting Fiscal Year 2024 operating budget requests and before the conclusion of February, all departments had met with the Finance Committee. At the outset of March, the Finance Committee reviewed a compiled list of FY24 budget requests, made minor recommendations and asked for clarification on a number of items. Further meetings resulted in the below budget proposal.

FY24 Operating and Capital Budget Recommendations – Preliminary
• FY24 Estimated Revenue Report
FY24 Expense Report
FY24 Broadband Budget Report
FY24 Water Department Budget Report
FY24 Chart of Benefits

To be updated prior to Annual Town Meeting with latest revenue projections.

Fiscal Year 2023 Final Budget

This budget has been shaped by both local and national events. The Town of Blandford went through a period of transition with the departure of the full-time Town Administrator in September 2021. The Town’s budget process, which normally begins in late October or early November, subsequently did not begin to advance until February 2022. Given the compressed time frame, Departments were asked to submit requests reflecting a level-funded budget and a 2.25% increase for wages and salaries.

A conservative approach to the budget was warranted by events at the national level. While economic impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic in the form of lockdowns and temporary shuttering of businesses have receded as of early spring 2022, the Fiscal Year 2023 budget will very much be shaped by macroeconomic trends. Concerns over inflation and disruptions to the global supply chain have been compounded by fuel and energy price increases. The result is a financial climate with a high degree of uncertainty that is best approached at the local level by building reserves and approaching larger changes to the operating budget cautiously.

Other important developments that played a role in the creation of this proposed budget include:

  • Robust new growth from Payment-In-Lieu-of-Taxes (PILOT) agreements with solar developments that are accounted for under Personal Property Taxes
  • The release of a Compensation & Classification study report on the Town with recommendations on approaches to salaries, wages, and stipends
  • Major capital projects on the horizon, most prominently the construction of new Highway and Fire garages, as well as the longer-term project of expanding the Porter Memorial Library

Review the full 2023 Budget Overview here →

• FY23 Anticipated Revenue Report
FY23 Expense Report
FY23 Pie Graph
FY23 Proposed Budget Summary Report