FINANCIAL BUSINESS REQUEST (FBR)
Motion/Request:
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MOTION to adopt a proposed Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Water Operations Budget in the amount $1,765,531.86.
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Background:
In accordance with Section 4 of Ordinance #400-001 “An Ordinance Establishing a Water Pollution Control Authority” which states: “The WPCA shall provide, by the fourth Monday in April, a budget of estimated revenues, expenditures and capital improvements for the ensuing fiscal year for inclusion as an appendix in the Town annual budget. The Town Council shall approve the water system budget”. (see attached Ordinance)
Water Operations Proposed Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Budget:
Water Operations: $1,765,531.80; an increase of $248,348.18 over the Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Budget.
Groton Utilities notified the WPCA that they would be increasing the cost of water by 5% to commence on October 1, 2025. The WPCA would be scheduling a Public Hearing sometime in April, 2025 to present the 5% water rate increase to the Ratepayers; as it would be included in the upcoming Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Water Operations Budget.
With the 5% water rate increase the Fiscal Year Water Operations Budget increased by $38,983.08 impacting the following account lines:
ü GU Operating Agreement - increase of $25,413.00
ü GU Customer Service - increase of $5,883.21
ü Route 12 Water Purchased Used - increase of $10,407.97
ü Route 117 Water Purchased Used - increase of $10,407.97
ü CWF/DWSFR Loan Principal - increase of $ $5,190.00
ü Retirement - increase of $202.92
Sewer Operations Budget:
Sewer Operations: $694,015.86 an increase in the amount of $22,266 over the Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Budget.
It was noted that stated per Ordinance #400-001 that “The Town Council shall approve the water system budget. This shall be provided to the residents at the Annual Town Meeting on the budget.” He explained although the Town Council was interested in the Sewer Operations Budget that per the Ordinance that the Town Council was not required to approve the Sewer Operations Budget, noting that it was provided for informational purposes only.
The Town Council was not required to approve Sewer Operations Budget, but that it was .86provided for informational purposes only.
Department Comment/Recommendation:
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Finance Director Comment/Recommendation:
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Mayor Comment/Recommendation:
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