BRATTLEBORO — As the Selectboard makes its way through the series of public hearings on the proposed Fiscal Year 2020 municipal budget, department heads make their appearances.
During the Dec. 4 regular Selectboard meeting, it was the Assessor's Office and the Planning Department's turn, and they brought good fiscal news.
Town Manager Peter B. Elwell explained why the two departments were presenting together.
Both, he said, “represent some parallel transition we're going through where [...] we've reduced staffing and related expenses and increased the commitment to contracted services.”
The reason, he said, is that it makes the town offices “more nimble [in] a small office with a variety of functions to perform.”
By reducing salaries and associated expenses, it makes funds available for contracts, and saves money in the budget. Elwell noted the increase in the “contracts” line items is less than the reduction on the “salaries” line items.
The Assessor's Office recently downsized, and eliminated one part-time staff member, said Town Assessor Jenepher Burnell. This helped reduce her department's proposed FY20 budget by 6 percent, or about $10,000.
One notable added expense - $4,000 - is to hire outside services, such as an appraisal firm, Burnell explained.
The Planning Department also downsized this fiscal year. When long-time director Rod Francis resigned, Sue Fillion was promoted to planning director.
Her former position, as town planner, was not filled. This change will save approximately $37,000 in the “staff salaries” line item of the proposed budget, and an additional $5,200 in other costs, including conferences and memberships.
To fill in the gaps, because the Planning Department is still doing the same amount of work, Fillion anticipates hiring interns or consultants.
To that end, her proposed budget shows a $24,000 increase in the “professional services” line item.
This all results in an 8.9 percent reduction in the Planning Department's proposed FY20 budget.
“Planning wins the 'Best Reduction' award,” noted Selectboard member Tim Wessel.
Elwell pointed out that, “between the two departments, they're contributing $30,000-worth of savings.”