Local Columns
York Budget Preview: Fiscal 2008
By Robert G. Yandow
York Town Manager
Robert G. Yandow
The first change is the creation of a Community Development Department. The Board of Selectmen recently approved the formation of this department as a means to organize similar functions into one department. The existing Planning, Code Enforcement and GIS departments will be moved to the Community Development Department and will be supervised by the Director of Community Development. The budget will reflect these changes and the budget document will appear somewhat different as it relates to these departments.
A second organizational change is the creation of a public health line item in the budget. Last year, a proposed mosquito control program appeared separately on the ballot as a policy item and was approved by the voters. Earlier this fall, the York Ambulance Association approached the town about a contract for ambulance services. These two expenditures have been placed under the new public health category for fiscal 2008. The reasoning behind both of these changes is to group similar expenditures in one location. While our current budget constraints will not allow additional expenses in the public health category for fiscal 2008, we will be looking at including some funding for pandemic influenza preparation and perhaps some health officer-related expenses for fiscal 2009.
In addition to the organizational changes, we are exploring increased expenses related to elections. There will be an additional election in fiscal 2008 due to the primary and we are considering the purchase of new voting machines as maintenance on the existing machines is becoming problematic.
The library has requested a new position and the selectmen are currently reviewing the request and will be holding additional discussion on the position.
In addition to the changes in the departmental operating budgets, we are finishing work on the items that appear as capital maintenance items. These items are typically equipment such as vehicles, tractors and mowers as well as material and labor necessary for repair and maintenance of town roads and walkways. After the selectmen have completed their review of the fiscal 2008 budget, the Budget Committee will begin their formal review early in February.
If you would like any additional information please feel free to contact me at 363-1000. Thank you.
