County Commissioners Approve Operating Budget for FY24
Commissioners Conclude FY24 Budgetary Review
February 8, 2023 (BARNSTABLE, MA) –Today the Barnstable County Commissioners unanimously voted in favor of supporting a proposed $22.5 million-dollar operating budget for the fiscal year 2024. The proposed operating budget represents a 4.5% increase over the current fiscal year.
The Barnstable County Commissioners’ approved budget includes a 3% cost of living increase for employees as well as $100K for emergency reserves, and $200K for salary adjustments following a recent salary compensation study. In order to present a balanced budget, departments were asked to make $1.2 million in reductions. The Commissioners lauded department heads and staff for their unwavering commitment to attaining a balanced budget while striving to maintain the same level of service.
Ron Bergstrom, Vice Chair of Barnstable County’s Board of Regional Commissioners remarked, “…this is a minimalist budget and without affecting any of the core functions of Barnstable County.” Chairman Mark Forest added, “…This is definitely, a bare-bones budget and I want to share the sentiments of my colleagues by thanking the department heads and staff for digging a little deeper than they would have liked. That is one of the great things about the team that we have here at Barnstable County, everybody pitches in.”
Also today, the Commissioners approved the Cape Cod Commission’s proposed $6.1 million FY 24 operating budget and a $ 2.4 million-dollar operating budget for the Dredge program. The three budgets will be presented to the Assembly of Delegates on February 15, 2023.
In other news, the Commissioners approved an appropriation of $12.8 million for county projects funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and a transfer of $2.4 million to Barnstable County’s Other Post-Employment Benefits Liability Trust Fund (OPEB) from its Unreserved Fund Balance.
The three Commissioners jointly urged a further review of OPEB and encouraged additional future appropriations to address the County’s OPEB liability; a move that would align the County with other municipalities who have made a similar level of contributions in an effort to attain a AAA bond rating.
THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO WATCH OR JOIN A FUTURE COMMISSIONERS’ MEETING
Members of the public are encouraged to visit the Barnstable County Meeting Center at www.capecod.gov to access the Commissioners’ calendar, meeting agendas, information on how to participate, or links to the live-streamed meetings on YOUTUBE. Barnstable County provides reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities upon request. Contact Justyna Marczak, Barnstable County ADA/Non-Discrimination Coordinator, at jmarczak@capecod.gov or call 508-375-6646.
ABOUT BARNSTABLE COUNTY REGIONAL BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
On January 3, Commissioner Ronald Bergstrom was sworn in for his second term as Barnstable County Regional Commissioner. Commissioner Mark Forest was appointed Chair. Barnstable County Commissioners serve four-year terms, which are staggered so that all three positions don’t come up for election at the same time. Current Board Members: Mark Forest, Chair (Yarmouth) Term: 2021-2024; Ronald Bergstrom, Vice-Chair (Chatham) Term: 2023-2026; Sheila Lyons, Commissioner (Wellfleet) Term: 2021-2024. Learn more about the Board of Regional Commissioners HERE.
ABOUT BARNSTABLE COUNTY REGIONAL GOVERNMENT OF CAPE COD Barnstable County provides exemplary government functions and services to keep our community healthy and safe, promote sustainable growth, and offer a proactive, open government that enhances the quality of life for the citizens of Barnstable County. Learn more at www.capecod.gov.
