Proposed $187.7M Budget Sent To Finance Committee, Select Board

ARLINGTON, MA — Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine sent his proposed operating budget for the upcoming fiscal year to the Select Board and Finance Committee for consideration.

The budget recommends $187.7 million in General Fund spending, including $41.8 million for municipal departments, $80.1 million for schools and $15.7 million for capital expenses, as well as other appropriations for pensions, health insurance and other items.

This proposal increases the municipal department budgets by just 2.6 percent, instead of the customary 3.25 percent. It also sets aside a reserve for potential increased school enrollment to the Finance Committee, which can be transferred if enrollment numbers rebound.

"This budget proposal has been formulated in one of the most uncertain economic environments that we have seen in the 21st Century," Chapdelaine wrote in his transmission letter.

The Finance Committee will consider the town manager's budget and make a budget recommendation to the 2021 Annual Town Meeting this spring.

The town recently was awarded by the Government Finance Officers Association for its Fiscal Year 2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and its Fiscal Year 2020 annual budget. These are the fourth and eighth consecutive years, respectively, the town has received these awards.

"Arlington's commitment to financial transparency and to the highest level of financial reporting is recognized by these awards," Chapdelaine said. "I want to commend Deputy Town Manager/Finance Director Sandy Pooler, Comptroller Ida Cody, Management Analyst Julie Wayman, and all the financial staff of the Town for their work and for this recognition."