The proposed Fiscal Year 2016-2017 Budget is $7,974,132, which includes $3,105,600 for Capital Projects. The total proposed budget for the General Fund is $3,723,535. Of note, during budget analysis, it was determined that the Public Utility budget was currently maintaining a shortfall of approximately $72,000. Town Council looked at two ways to address the shortfall; the first was to raise the combined utility rate by $3.66 per month; the second option was to ‘utilize’ unassigned 2013 Bond proceeds for the Pump Station improvements. This would allow monthly utility rates to stay at $107.46. Town Council has opted to use the bond proceeds rather increasing the utility rate.
From the staff report, here are the highlights:
1. General Fund Revenue projected at $3,782,198 and Expenditures projected at $3,723,535.
Projected surplus of $58,662 will cover the shortfall in the Harbor Fund, which is due to debt
service. $326,979 lower than FY 2015-2016; a decrease of $518,371 in Capital Projects, as
well as wage and compensation study increases, addition of a part-time finance department
assistant and police officer.
2. Public Utilities Fund Revenue and Expenditures projected at $2,302,286. $579,275 higher
than FY 2015-2016; primarily an increase in capital projects.
3. Harbor Fund Revenue projected at $1,713,689, and Expenditures projected at $1,772,351; a
deficit of $58,662 which will be covered by General Fund Surplus. $301,427 lower than
FY2016, due to a decrease in fuel prices and anticipated sales.
4. Sanitation Fund Revenue and Expenditures projected at $175,960, $660 higher than FY 2015-
2016.
5. The overall FY2016-2017 budget is $48,471 lower than FY2015-2016, with $90,000 being
allocated for a contingency fund.
INFORMATION ON THE UTILITY RATES:
The proposed budget maintains the same minimum total rates for utilities service. The trash
collection fee will remain at $13.76 which represents the cost to the Town under the Davis Disposal
contract. The water rate will remain 31.16, and the wastewater rate will remain at $63.00. The
overall utility rate to the consumer will remain unchanged at $107.92.
These services are funded by user fees and charges as opposed to general tax
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When the powers that be are trying to figure out the money problems have they ever considered scaling back on the amount of employees in the town office? We have way more employees than any other towns on the Eastern Shore!!!
This is about $8,500 per person. The coolest small town, Berlin, MD, spends about $3,500 per person. Exmore town budget is only $1.8 million total. What is wrong with this picture…..