Whitman Explores Financial Trend Monitoring System, Budget Projection Formula

Town officials collaborate with state consultant to implement new tools for predicting and preventing fiscal distress

WHITMAN, MA - July 23 - The Whitman Select Board is exploring a new formula for forecasting general government and school budget increases.

Board member Shawn Kain proposed a three-step approach during the July 23 meeting. The formula suggests a 2.5% baseline increase for all departments, including the Whitman-Hanson Regional School District, with additional revenue distributed proportionally based on current spending.

"I think it makes sense to say, listen, if we have $500,000 surplus over the 2.5%, then maybe $250,000 goes to education and the other $250,000 goes to the town side of the budget," Kain explained.

"What I'd like to do is develop a budget formula that we could kind of agree upon early in the budget process so that when it comes time to actually compute the budget, we're all on the same page," Kain said.

Rosemary Connolly, a School Committee member, expressed concerns about the Board's ability to control the school budget.

"Essentially it gives the impression that you can control that school budget when you've signed the rights away with a regional school agreement," Connolly said.

Select Board member Justin Evans noted potential issues with the proposed 2.5% baseline increase, stating it might not accurately reflect the school district's budget growth due to a lack of increases in state aid.

The board plans to continue discussions on the proposed formula, with Kain acknowledging it as a starting point for further refinement.

Town Administrator Mary Beth Carter announced Whitman has been awarded an $80,050 cybersecurity grant.

"I'd just like to congratulate our IT director, Josh MacNeil, who applied for this cybersecurity grant for the town of Whitman," Carter said.

The grant will fund various cybersecurity projects, including the development of a written incident response plan and cybersecurity awareness training.