Franklin Matters: What's this about a possible override for Franklin? (collection)

Monday, March 18, 2024

What's this about a possible override for Franklin? (collection)

The first pass of the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY 2025) budget as presented to the Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting last week shows the Town of Franklin facing a $10.1 million deficit. The numbers will continue to be worked. As discussed during the meeting, breaking news that afternoon showed a reduction in the projected cost increase for health care that had just been received. That will be adjusted for future budget discussions.

The timeline for the budget development is as follows:

School Committee budget public hearing - March 19
School Committee votes on school budget recommendation - April 9
Town of Franklin FY 2025 budget scheduled for release - April 12
Joint Town Council & School Committee Mtg - Apr 24
Town Council meeting May 1 (determine yes or no for override, if yes, sets date & amount)
Finance Committee budget hearings - May 6, May 8, May 15 (vote)
Town Council budget hearings - May 22, May 23 (vote)
Possible override date ??

If there were to be an override, the decision on “When?” is as critical as “How much”? Election requirements call for 35 days notification of a vote on a ballot question. Hence, a vote scheduled for June would have to be decided no later than early May

Town budget page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-25-budget-materials

School budget page ->

https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget/pages/1-fy2025-budget

Recent meetings/documents (most recent on top, scroll down for prior)

5/01/24 - Town Council meeting to determine (1) yes or no for override, (2) if yes, sets date & (3) sets amount

4/30/24 - School Committee meeting (7 PM)

4/30/24 - School Committee budget subcommittee meeting (6 PM)

4/25/24 - Comprehensive School Facility Plan Subcmte meeting (redistricting draft) (recap & audio) -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/04/comprehensive-school-facility-plng.html

4/24/24 - Joint Town Council & School Committee mtg - recap, audio (2 parts) and video -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/04/town-council-and-school-committee-hear_01363014460.html

4/12/24 - Town of Franklin FY 2025 budget released. The budget was released as "balanced" by NOT including any Town 'wish list' items, nor projecting to incur any cuts. The School Shortfall was granted approx. $3M leaving the $9.3 million the Schools voted for $6.3M short, hence all the cuts would come to the schools. Something may change during the Finance Committee and Town Council hearings (with or without an override).

Details available on the budget page in particular the budget narrative doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/fy_25_budget_message_narrative_updated_links_2.pdf

and the voting doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/fy25_ta_budget_book_v2.pdf

4/09/24 - School Committee approves FY 2025 budget - Recap, audio & video links -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/04/school-committee-votes-to-approve-81m_0566458301.html

3/19/24 - School Committee meeting