MARION — Between now and March 11, when the Marion Finance Committee initially recommended articles two, three and four, those concerning the town’s annual budget, to the Selectmen, a lot has changed. 

To reflect those covid-related changes, the committee voted to recommend a new budget for the  2021 fiscal year that accounts for a projected decrease in state aid. This results in an increased total of $24,772,858, a 2.55% increase from last year.

After much discussion with Town Administrator Jay McGrail, Finance Director and Town Accountant Judy Mooney asked town departments heads to make cuts to their budget after she heard from state representatives that the outlook for receiving state aid this fiscal year would be dim.

Mooney said the town is in unprecedented financial times and it is “prudent of us to be taking the step to look at the revenue” it will likely have in the coming year.

The accountant looked at the town’s budget during the 2008 global recession as a guide.

Marion made a notable 10% cut in the school budget that saved $60,000.  Mooney said the town has never done this. Other departments were asked to cut 15% of their budget. 

McGrail said the town will have to delay new programs to make the cuts it needs, but its capital projects will still go as planned because the town has already been saving for them.

Because of the cuts and the reductions in spending, Mooney said the town was not only able to balance the budget, but increase town revenue as well. McGrail said the additional free cash will go into the town’s stabilization fund.

In a fiscal year 2022 that is already projected to be difficult, Mooney said the extra free cash can only benefit the town. To pay for virus-related expenditures, she said the town will apply for reimbursement from FEMA, Medicaid and the state. 

McGrail is proud that he and Mooney did not have to furlough any staff, thanks to good planning, and commended Mooney on her prudent budgeting to come up with “what we feel like is the most conservative budget we could come up with.”