Town Administrator Robert L. Whritenour presented a $40,904,000 preliminary budget for fiscal year 2023, characterizing the plan as a bridge to restore municipal services to pre-pandemic levels while preparing for significant new debt obligations. During a remote meeting of the Finance Committee on January 2, 2022, Whritenour cautioned that the financial landscape is shifting as the town begins to carry the full weight of the new regional middle school project. The new debt for the Middle School will hit in full force in FY23, Whritenour stated, noting that property taxes currently account for over 71% of town revenue while state aid remains stagnant at roughly 1%.

The proposed budget includes a strategic move to restore nearly $3 million in capital and roadway funding to the tax levy, moving away from the temporary reliance on free cash seen during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Whritenour also proposed automating the transfer of short-term rental income to support the municipal sewer project debt service rather than relying on annual votes. Committee Chair Richard Simon voiced strong support for the structural change, noting, I 100% agree. I was involved in a coalition that pushed for community investment funds under Chapter 40.

The committee examined the Recreation Department’s request, which includes a significant $100,000 increase for lifeguard wages to address a tightening labor market. Assistant Town Administrator Amy Frigulietti explained that the town must raise hourly rates by another 50 cents this year to remain competitive. Our biggest challenge is the labor market; we cannot keep up with private market wages, Frigulietti said. She also advocated for the creation of a revolving account to allow the department to roll over revenue for small capital needs like picnic tables. Member John Anderson questioned the current flow of funds, asking, What kind of funds roll over? If you have leftover funds, it goes into the general fund now? Frigulietti confirmed that surpluses currently revert to the general fund, limiting the department's flexibility to keep fees low.

Inter-municipal dynamics also surfaced during the Recreation discussion regarding the use of town facilities by the Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District. Member Robert Harding argued that the town should seek better compensation for school use of Yarmouth-owned assets. Yarmouth pays its fair share for DY—70% or 72%, Harding noted. When DY uses an asset specifically owned by the Town of Yarmouth, the schools should compensate us. It's a fiduciary responsibility to our taxpayers. Member Nathan Ladley suggested looking at other revenue streams, asking, If you raise beach fees slightly, will that help? Frigulietti noted that while Yarmouth's $20 beach fee is lower than the $25 or $30 charged by neighboring towns, those revenues currently support the Department of Public Works.

The town’s heavy reliance on residential property taxes remained a point of concern for the committee. With a 90/10 split between residential and commercial real estate, members discussed how the multi-year wastewater infrastructure rollout might trigger economic growth. The lack of commercial real estate stability is a concern, Harding said, pointing to missed opportunities in other industries. Whritenour responded that the sewer project could eventually foster several hundred million dollars in commercial development, potentially moving the town toward an 80/20 split.

Senior Services Director Diane Kane presented a $465,664 budget, highlighting the addition of a full-time administrative assistant to help combat loneliness and isolation among seniors. She expressed concern over the difficulty of retaining part-time staff who are being lured away by private retailers paying significantly higher wages. Chair Simon noted the potential for a broader classification issue if year-round employees are being categorized as seasonal. Vice Chair George Perkins scrutinized the visual representation of local revenue estimates, noting, On the local estimate chart, the message conveys stability, but the chart looks volatile. Whritenour clarified that the perceived volatility was a function of the chart's scale rather than actual fiscal instability.

Library Director Jane Kane requested a budget increase to meet state certification standards for materials and to cover cost-of-living adjustments. She highlighted the physical limitations of the town’s current facilities. Our biggest challenge is inadequate space and narrow hallways in our aging buildings, she told the committee. This prompted Chair Simon to suggest a long-term vision for a consolidated municipal campus. There could be value in putting services like the Senior Center, Library, and Town Hall under one roof or on one campus, Simon suggested.

The Division of Natural Resources (DNR) and Golf Enterprise budgets also received scrutiny. DNR Director Carl Von Hone reported the first detection of cyanobacteria in Long Pond and noted that the department is seeking its first expense increase in over a decade to handle rising vehicle and boat maintenance costs. We are struggling with seasonal recruitment and state/federal permitting delays for dredging, Von Hone said. Meanwhile, Golf Director Scott Gilmore reported near-record rounds and $1.4 million in net revenue for FY21, though he warned of a 150% spike in fertilizer costs. Gilmore noted the department is awaiting news on how the wastewater pipeline might impact future irrigation plans at the Bass River course.

Motion Made by G. Perkins to approve the preliminary budgets for Recreation, Senior Services, Library, DNR, and Golf. Motion Passed 4-0-0 (R. Simon, G. Perkins, J. Anderson, N. Ladley voting Aye).