Proposition 2 ½ Override Proposed for Fiscal Year 2025
For more information, including estimated tax impact, please visit the Town website here: Proposition 2 1/2 Override Questions and Answers | Town of West Boylston MA (westboylston-ma.gov).
Contact: Jennifer Warren-Dyment, Town Administrator
townadmin@westboylston-ma.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 26, 2024
Proposition 2 ½ Override Proposed for Fiscal Year 2025
(West Boylston, MA)- Residents will be asked to consider a 4 million dollar Proposition 2 ½ override at the upcoming May 20, 2024 Semi-Annual Town Meeting and June 4, 2024 Annual Municipal Election. The proposed override is split equally between municipal and school operations and is designed to cover expected cost increases over the next five year. To pass, the override must pass both at Town Meeting and at the Municipal Election.
The Town and the Schools each have structural deficits, relying on one-time funds to balance their respective budgets as opposed to solely relying on recurring revenue streams. At the same time both have been faced with increasing costs precipitating the need to request residents consider an override.
“The decision to bring forward an override at this time was not taken lightly,” said Town Administrator Jennifer Warren-Dyment. “While the Town is facing difficulties in making ends meet, I recognize that many of our residents are also facing similar challenges at home. I hope that folks will lean in and ask the difficult questions so that they may make an informed decision.”
Although a 4 million dollar override is being presented, the entire amount will not be used in Fiscal Year 2025. If passed, the Town Administrator is proposing to fund the schools by an additional $300,000 and no longer rely on $300,000 of free cash that was used to balance the budget.
The Finance Committee will be holding a Budget Informational Public Forum on May 13, 2024 at 6:00 p.m at the Senior Center. The Finance Committee will be focusing on historical trends budgetary trends in West Boylston and looking ahead to future fiscal years.
For more information, including estimated tax impact, please visit the Town website here: Proposition 2 1/2 Override Questions and Answers | Town of West Boylston MA (westboylston-ma.gov). For general Town Meeting information, please click here: Semi-Annual Town Meeting May 20, 2024 | Town of West Boylston MA (westboylston-ma.gov).
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