Proposed Proposition 2-1/2 Override

1. Proposed Proposition 2-1/2 Override Information Provided by the Douglas Board of Selectmen and Strategic Budget Committee April 24, 2013

2. Why is an Override question on the ballot? • Expenses have outpaced revenues • Current level of essential services in jeopardy • The override question will allow the voters to determine the level of municipal and school services they will receive going forward

3. COMMUNITY COMPARISON - AVERAGE SINGLE FAMILY TAX BILL

4. 5 Yr Increase of $246,325 5 Yr Increase of $2,710,193 • 5 Yr Increase of 42.2% • 5 Yr Increase of 2.7% • Average Annual Increase of 8.4% • Average Annual Increase of .5%

5. What have been the impacts of five years of escalating fixed costs?

7. How has this decrease in available funding impacted our School and Municipal services over the last five years? • • Elimination of 13 teacher positions • • Elimination of 1.75 school custodian positions • • Elimination of 3municipal center and 1 Highway Department positions • • Inability to adequately fund snow and ice removal (5 yr. average $247,000) • • Deferred maintenance on all municipal buildings • • Inability to fund capital needs (necessary repairs and vehicle/equipment • purchases)

8. As a result of a successful negotiation between the Town and its employees (which was finalized as of April 2nd), the Town was able to make significant changes in health insurance benefits, achieving greater savings than originally anticipated.  The following budgets were increased as a result: • • Purchase of two police vehicles:  $72,000 • • Douglas Public Schools - Personnel & Expenses:  $120,000 • • Douglas School Transportation:  $41,000

9. If passed, how do we anticipate the override funds to be spent?

10. What will be the effects to the school and municipal departments if the override fails? • • Elimination of 8.3Teachers • • Elimination of 4.0Paraprofessionals • • Reduction of 0.4 Guidance Counselor • • Reduction in Custodial & Clerical Staffing • • Reduction in Text books, Instructional and Educational Supplies • • Reduction in DHS Athletic/Music/Band/Chorus funding • • Reduction in various other staff and supplies • (Any further loss of state and federal grants or reduction in school choice revenue • will result in further cuts.) • • Inability to make repairs to town buildings • • Inability to properly fund snow & ice removal • • Reduction of Public works tasks–i.e., street sweeping& brush cutting • Inability to fund Capital items ($210,000)

11. If approved, what would the $1.4 million override cost the average taxpayer? • • The override would cost the average single family home ( $259,500) $425.58 per year based upon the FY13 Tax Rate – or the equivalent of $1.64 per $1,000 based upon the current FY13 assessed property value.

12. Question 1 Summary Shall the Town of Douglas be allowed to assess an additional $1.4 million in real estate and personal property taxes for the purposes of funding town and school operating and capital expenses for the fiscal year beginning July first, two thousand and thirteen? YES _______ NO _______ State law provides a mechanism by which the Town may override the limitations imposed by Proposition 2 ½ with regard to the amount the Town may raise by taxation in the fiscal year that begins on July 1, 2013. A YES vote on Question 1 would authorize the assessment of an additional $1.4 million beyond the limitation imposed by Proposition 2 ½ to be used for town and school operation expenses and capital expenses. A NO vote on Question 1 would disapprove the assessment of an additional $1.4 million beyond the limitation imposed by Proposition 2 ½ to have been used for town and school operating expenses and capital expenses.

13. Important Dates May 6th– Town Meeting Douglas High School 7:00 PM May14th – Annual Town Election Override Ballot Question Douglas Municipal Center Gymnasium 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM

14. Questions / Discussion