The Amherst Finance Committee has recommended a three-year financial plan called “The Amherst Plan.”
It is a plan to provide the town financial stability for the next three years, and has been endorsed by the Amherst School Committee and the Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee, the Town Manager, and the Superintendent of Schools.
IT’S NOT “JUST ANOTHER OVERRIDE.” IT’S A PLAN.
The benefits of having a plan
• No additional overrides for three years.
• Three-year budget models, so school and town staff can focus on real work, not paperwork.
• Economic development resources to broaden the tax base with new businesses and housing that fit the needs and values of Amherst.
• Aggressive lobbying for state programs to increase local revenue and provide tax-relief for those with low- and fixed-incomes.
• Financial stability that prevents more severe cuts in years 2 and 3.
THREE KEY ELEMENTS
Control spending with caps and cuts
• Specific cuts this year and spending caps for all three years.
Create new sources of revenues
• Change our approach to economic development.
• Push for state initiatives like a local option meals tax.
• Press academic institutions for realistic cost-sharing.
• Actively pursue appropriate taxable new business activity.
Commit to a one-time $2.5 million override
• To prevent the worst cuts, and avoid another override for at least three years.
With the override, the Amherst town budget for next year increases 3% over last year, letting us:
• Prevent the loss of 5 firefighters
• Prevent the loss of 2 police officers
• Restore funds for some new library hours and materials
• Prevent the loss of 4 elementary teachers and prevent even larger elementary classes
• Prevent the loss of 5 high school teachers and avoid mandatory second study halls at ARHS
• Preserve after-school tutoring
• Restore some funds for textbooks
• Keep War Memorial pool open
• Create an economic development position to actively pursue Amherst-appropriate development
• Restore $400,000 in capital improvement funds for town, school and library needs
