Comprehensive Financial Advisory Committee | March 10, 2025

The meeting focused on review and discussion of the Fiscal Year 2026 Capital Budget and related financial projections for the town of Barnstable.

Watch the meeting. AI supported summary below. Corrections welcome; see contact page.

Key Points

• FY26 Capital Budget: A 405-page document outlining proposed projects totaling just over $100 million. The budget includes projects across various departments (DPW, schools, police, etc.), with significant allocations for road maintenance and addressing HVAC issues at Barnstable United. The budget incorporates a review process based on a Town Council strategic plan, using a scoring system to prioritize projects. A notable highlight is the high ranking of the JFK Memorial project this year.
• FY26 Revenue and Fixed Cost Projections: The committee reviewed updated revenue projections, including property taxes, motor vehicle excise taxes, state aid, and other revenue streams. Discussions included analysis of the tax base, including residential vs. commercial properties, and the impact of potential changes in state and federal funding. There was considerable discussion about the complexities of tax revenue projections and the need for more detailed breakdowns of tax sources.
• Draft Intended Use Plan: The committee discussed the state's draft intended use plan for the Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds, which introduces significant changes to how projects are funded over multiple years. The main change is the elimination of carryover costs for new projects in subsequent years, potentially impacting the town's ability to complete large-scale projects.
• CIP Subcommittee Update: The CIP (Capital Improvement Plan) subcommittee provided an update on their progress, highlighting their focus on school capital facilities needs and the implications of potential new school construction or extensive repairs. They invited committee members to review and comment on their draft plan.
• Other: The meeting also included discussion of debt amortization, the use of outside attorneys for tax collection, renewable energy revenue projections, and potential impacts of federal budget changes on state and local funding.

Highlights

• Lively discussion and debate among committee members.
• Detailed examination of the capital budget and revenue projections, with questions and clarifications from committee members.
• Concern over the potential impact of the state's draft intended use plan on future projects.
• Progress of the CIP subcommittee and their focus on school facilities.
• Discussion of potential layoffs in the school district.