Halifax Faces $2.5 Million Budget Deficit Largely Due to Education Costs
Town Considers Cuts, Override as Officials Weigh MBTA Zoning Compliance
HALIFAX - January 21 - Halifax officials are grappling with a potential $2 to $2.5 million budget deficit, largely due to increases in education costs. The town is considering budget cuts, a Proposition 2 1/2 override, or a combination of both to address the shortfall.
Town Administrator Cody Haddad revealed the financial challenges during a recent Board of Selectmen meeting. He reported that the Halifax Elementary School's level service budget was presented with a 23.1% increase, while the Silver Lake regional school budget is projected to rise by more than 13%.
"If we were to approve level service budgets for what's been requested from the elementary school and Silver Lake, we would be in a deficit of somewhere in the range of $2 to $2.5 million," Haddad said.
The town can only afford about a 3.5% increase for education costs, creating a significant gap between available funds and requested budgets.
If spread across the tax base through a Proposition 2 1/2 override, the deficit could result in an additional $800 to $1,000 in taxes for the average assessed home in Halifax, valued at about $550,000.
Haddad emphasized the need for collaboration with neighboring towns Kingston and Plympton, which face similar budget constraints. A joint budget meeting was held with School Committees and Finance Committee members from the three communities.
"While these circumstances are not great, it was good to see all the communities in the room and talking, which you don't see very often," Haddad noted.
The town has asked schools to prepare scenarios for potential budget cuts. Silver Lake School Committee's 2% budget increase scenario included eliminating all after-school sports, extracurricular activities, and several staff positions.
Halifax officials will discuss budget options at their Feb. 11 meeting, including potential cuts to school and other department budgets, a Proposition 2 1/2 override, or a combination approach.
In addition to budget concerns, Halifax must decide whether to submit an action plan by Feb. 13 to comply with MBTA Community zoning regulations or face potential non-compliance consequences.
The state recently issued emergency regulations following a Supreme Judicial Court ruling on the constitutionality of the MBTA zoning law. Halifax is currently in compliance but must decide whether to submit a new action plan to maintain that status.
"We have until February 13th to decide if that's something the town wants to do, and if the town were to submit an action plan, we would have until July 14th to have adopted some sort of zoning," Haddad explained.
The Board of Selectmen will discuss the MBTA zoning issue at their Feb. 11 meeting.
A resident in attendance urged the board to continue opposing the MBTA zoning requirements, citing concerns about overextending water supplies, school capacity, and potential tax implications.
"We just had over 700 people say no at town meetings, so I think that by going against what the people at town meetings say is wrong," she stated.
In other business, the board:
- Approved an intermunicipal agreement with Hanson for building commissioner services.
- Appointed Dave Fryer as an associate member of the Zoning Board of Appeals.
- Heard updates on potential electricity cost savings for town buildings through a deal with Brockton, and the successful retention of a $15,500 fire safety grant.
- Learned that Jim Walters, chair of the Halifax Finance Committee, has been appointed to the State Association of Town Finance Committees.
The next Board of Selectmen meeting is scheduled for Feb. 11, where officials will further discuss budget options and the MBTA zoning compliance issue.