Analysis of Agenda Minutes
Many people may believe that a budget process focuses the attention on the prospective (future) budget requests and recommendations. As in any organizational business, public or private, it is important to utilize institutional and historical knowledge as a foundation to analyze and review the future fiscal year budget. This facet is an important for both the Town officials and members of the BFRB. To "connect" discussions, data, promises, thoughts, forecasts and projections. This data, both in minutes and analyses are key to forming a realistic, accurate and appropriate budget.
To spend what is needed, not what is wanted.
For the last four years, there has been a discussion of the overtime budgets for many Town departments. In 2022, there the beginning of a discussion of the Fire Department overtime budget and actual numbers. To document and understand knowledge ... I thought it was important to review the minutes from the BFRB Meetings from 2022 to 2024. To document the discussion for the future.
The genesis of the discussion in 2022 was to reduce the overtime by completing a "break even analysis" of overtime versus hiring additional personnel. For several reasons:
- To find the number of additional positions which would offset the expense (some) of the overtime replacing with regular hours. Why?
- To have a "queuing" waiting list of trained personnel which could replace personnel not working (retirement, injury, short-term sick, etc.) while minimizing overtime hours and pay.
- To reduce the personnel for working a number of increased hours causing stress, fatigue and potential injury.
- To, possibly, reduce the medical costs to the Town.
- And, to keep these important personnel safe in the workplace.
An analysis of all BFRB meetings were reviewed. All discussions of the Fire Department were copied/pasted into a document (as attached).
These types of analysis are common when discussing significant recommended increases in labor and other expenses. Especially those that will be "institutionalized" in the operating budgets. What are those? Labor and overhead. Overhead is usually incurred with additional (or extensions) in Town buildings (insurance, utilities, maintenance).
Our public safety personnel keep us and our property safe. I experienced this with a "trip" to the hospital in May 2022. I could not have been in better hands with the Log Road EMTs.
At the same time, our elected and appointed leaders as well as our Town/School leadership have to practice a fiduciary responsibility as well as a practical budget for our taxpayers and businesses.
Any questions, contact me. Thanks for reading.
