Category Archives: Town Finance

Post-Budget Realities: A List of Some Lingering Issues

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As Town Meeting approaches, the Selectboard has approved a budget, crafted through the dedicated effort of Board members, the Town Manager, and staff. The adopted budget largely aligns with the Town Manager’s proposals. However, this post does not delve into the intricacies of the budget itself. Instead, it sheds light on issues that emerged during the budget process yet remain unresolved. It’s important to highlight these lingering concerns that warrant attention from the SB and TM, as well as the Continue reading Post-Budget Realities: A List of Some Lingering Issues→

Town of Norwich is flush with surplus cash

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Here’s a good problem to have. The Town of Norwich is flush with surplus cash. It has over $680,000 in accumulated budget surplus, in addition to the ARPA money and a fully funded emergency fund. Some numbers Plans for the accumulated surplus of $684,254? As budget season approaches, our public officials may want to consider an appropriate use for the surplus. Holding onto a cash surplus for no reason (hoarding?) does not strike me as sound policy. One option is to Continue reading Town of Norwich is flush with surplus cash→

Norwich Finance Director departs

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At the September 28 Norwich, VT Selectboard meeting, the Town Manager reported that Fielding Essensa was leaving his position as the Town’s Finance Director, as of October 5. The Town Manager and Selectboard members praised his work. No reason was given for his departure. In response to a public comment, Selectboard Chair Arnold said an exit interview would occur. Worker turnover has plagued the Town over the past year and residents are not happy, reports a September 29 Valley News Continue reading Norwich Finance Director departs→

Town projects budget surplus of $250,000. No plans to use cash for property tax relief or employee retention bonuses.

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The Town projects to have a budget surplus of $250,000 for the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2022. At its June 22, 2022 meeting, the Selectboard passed on two suggestions for using that money. One was to pay bonuses to current employees. The other, returning money to taxpayers. The lack any real interest in either topic mystifies me. As detailed below, the Town is flush with cash. However, some Selectboard members noted concerns about future expenses. Apparently. Tracy Continue reading Town projects budget surplus of $250,000. No plans to use cash for property tax relief or employee retention bonuses.→

On slush funds and Article 7 – Vote NO

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Posted this on the listserv on Wednesday. Thought I would also post it here. Norwich has had a slush fund for years. It’s called the undesignated fund. VOTER approval is needed to spend that money. Under Article 7, the Selectboard is given control of up to $800,000 of that cash, limited by only an extremely broad purpose statement. Sadly, this shift in control from Voters to the Selectboard is not explicitly mentioned in the Board’s video presentation on Article 7. Continue reading On slush funds and Article 7 – Vote NO→

Town Meeting Article 7: Does a budget surplus belong to the voters or the Selectboard?

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Posted this on the listserv. Thought I would include it here as well. Last year the Town’s annual budget had a surplus of approximately $300,000. Should voters decide how that money is spent or should the Selectboard? How about past surpluses and future budget surpluses? Today the total accumulated surplus is about $850,000. And, specific voter approval is needed to spend that money. However, if Article 7 is approved, control of that money (and future surpluses) goes to the Selectboard. Continue reading Town Meeting Article 7: Does a budget surplus belong to the voters or the Selectboard?→

Norwich to receive an additional $660,000 in ARPA money, bringing total to over $1 million

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The Town of Norwich is slated to receive a little over $1 million from the federal government under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Town Manager Herb Durfee made that announcement as part of his final Town Manager report to the Selectboard at its meeting on Wednesday, August 25, as seen on CATV. That is a significant bump from the approximately $366,000 the Town was expecting. The additional dollars represent Norwich’s share of the money allocated by the feds to Continue reading Norwich to receive an additional $660,000 in ARPA money, bringing total to over $1 million→

Selectboard to discuss body cams for police

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Police body cameras are an important tool to enhance accountability and transparency in policing. Is Norwich ready to the make the move? How about if a grant covered nearly 80% of the cost? The matter is on the Selectboard agenda for its meeting on March 24. Discussed below are the stated reasons for the proposed purchase as well the Selectboard Chair’s opposition. At the end, I rant about the lack of a capital plan. The proposal is to purchase four Continue reading Selectboard to discuss body cams for police→

Selectboard agenda item number 8: Reaffirm Master Financial Policies

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This is a wonkish post. Read no further if you don’t want to delve in the details of the the Town’s Master Financial Policies, unless you suffer from insomnia and need somnolent reading material. Listed as agenda item number 8 for the Selectboard meeting on Wednesday, March 10, is the topic: Reaffirm Master Financial Policies. I don’t recall reaffirmation of the policies as an annual housekeeping event in Norwich. But, it’s a good idea. A nice project for Finance Committee Continue reading Selectboard agenda item number 8: Reaffirm Master Financial Policies→

Finance Committee makes recommendations on proposed budget

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The Norwich Finance Committee issued its preliminary recommendations regarding the proposed budget. Its memorandum is in the packet for the Selectboard meeting on January 6, 2020, starting at page 22 of the “revised” packet. Some highlights. Budget should be flat, in real terms. “The NFC believes the FY22 budget should remain flat vs. FY21 in real terms. Accounting for inflationary pressures, a reasonable nominal target increase would be in the order of 3%.” It seems doubtful that the Selectboard will Continue reading Finance Committee makes recommendations on proposed budget→