Budget Committee - 1/14/10 - Municipal Public Session
This past Thursday night, the Gilford Budget Committee presented its Budget to the townfolk of Gilford. Here is the presentation that I was able to record:
For the most part, things were uncontroversial; the majority of the discussion from the audience were from folks stating that we MUST give taxpayer monies to their charities (Community Health and Hospice, Genesis) - after all, they provide uncompensated services FAR in excess of what the town gives them.
The only "surprise" of the evening was when Evans Juris showed up and started to ask questions of the budget. The surprise was not so much, to me, that he showed up (although there were a few raised eyebrows at his late entrance) but more the questions he asked - even though the budget amounts / line items were "moved around" by the current administration, he was the Town Administrator and should have known some of the answers.
Of course, right after the Public Session, the Budget Committee held another BudComm meeting to discuss its recommendations for the Petition Warrant Articles concerning the outside agencies / social services / charitable organizations. It can be seen here:
Overall, the budget, including Warrant Articles, is flat over last year. Now it will be up to the Deliberative Session for the taxpayers to make any adjustments that they want. Then, the SB2 voting by ballot will make it official and binding - the Legislative body of Gilford, NH - the voters - will have spoken.
