Budget season has arrived, and the Town released last week the FY2017 budget calendar.
The Town Council will kick off this year’s planning process at its Nov. 2 meeting with the presentation of a general overview of the proposed budget and estimated revenues.
Town Manager Kevin Smith said he additionally planned to present an overview of the Town’s financial position moving into budget planning at the Budget Committee’s Oct. 29 meeting.
The Town’s tax rate has not yet been set, but Smith said he anticipates it will come in soon.
Where last year’s budget planning included lengthy debate over the Fire Department’s overtime costs and funding for additional Fire staff, Smith said he anticipates this year’s process will be more straightforward.
Notable topics likely to be discussed are revenues for development on Pettengill Road, management of the Town Forest, the cost of renovating the Central Fire Station and funding for programs like the Cooperative Alliance for Regional Transportation (CART).
The Council will hold a budget workshop on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 8 a.m. to cover all town departments.
Additional budget workshops are scheduled on Mondays, Nov. 16, 23 and 30, all at 7 p.m. The Nov. 30 workshop will include preliminary budget recommendations and potentially the determination of a bond hearing.
The first budget public hearing and preliminary budget adoption are scheduled for Monday, Dec. 14, at 7 p.m.; a second public hearing on the budget, adoption of the FY17 budget and final vote on the Town Warrant are scheduled for Monday, Jan. 18, at 7 p.m.
A date for the Town’s Deliberative Session, which must be held between Jan. 30 and Feb. 6, has yet to be set.
The Town election is scheduled for Tuesday, March 8, from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.