City Council Budget and Finance Subcommittee Meeting

The Budget & Finance Committee met to consider four finance-related orders. Amesbury Public Schools leadership commented on two appropriations: 2024-026 (a $310,396.12 appropriation from Free Cash for collective bargaining settlements) and 2024-027 (a $106,678.15 appropriation from Free Cash for Cashman Playground), explaining how the allocated funds would be used. The Committee also reviewed 2024-028 (an order to pay prior-year invoices from the FY24 general operating budget) and received clarification from the Chief of Staff about why those expenses—across the schools, Police Department, and Department of Public Works—are being handled in the current year.

The Committee discussed 2024-029, a renewal agreement with ACTV through June 30, 2032; the Chief of Staff summarized a proposed shift in the budget split for ACTV services from two-thirds/one-third to 70/30 (administration/schools) due to reduced school-side usage, noted a clerical error to be corrected, and confirmed that funds would remain available if ACTV ceased programming. For each of the four orders (2024-026, 2024-027, 2024-028, and 2024-029) the Committee voted unanimously (3-0) to advance the order to the full City Council with a positive recommendation.