Budget Task Force

Overview

The Truro Charter 7-1-2 requires the establishment of the Budget Task Force each year. A Budget Task Force shall be formed on or before December 15 of each year. The Budget Task Force shall consist of two members of the Finance Committee, two members of the Select Board, the Town Accountant, and the Town Manager. It shall be the charge of the Budget Task Force to review with department heads individual budgets.

Budget Priorities & Transparency

You can review the Select Board’s FY2027 Budget Guidelines, which were sent to Department Heads on October 29, here.

The Finance team and Administration remain committed to transparency during the budget process. We are continuing several initiatives that began last year, including:

• As the budget process evolves, narratives and line-by-line information can be viewed on the ClearGov platform: https://town-truro-ma-cleardoc.cleargov.com/20656/
• The budget task force is starting a month earlier than in years’ past. The first meeting is on the first Tuesday in December.

How Can You Get Involved in Budget-Making?

By and large, the Truro community is engaged in the budget process as evidenced by the major aspects of the process: the 7+ Budget Task Force meetings are recorded and attended by the public; the Select Board and Finance Committee both review the budget in separate and combined meetings throughout February and March; line item proposals are posted online along with qualitative information to help highlight the major aspects of each department's operations; and of course, the budget itself is voted on by the legislature at Town Meeting.

The most important step you can take is to interact with your Truro Town Government in countless ways throughout the year. To put another way, to 'vote with your feet' by enjoying the services the town provides. This sends a signal to department heads about what services are most important.

At the same time, there are ways you can get involved with the budget process directly: you can read each department's proposed budget on ClearGov; attend or watch the recording of a Tuesday morning Budget Task Force, Select Board, or Finance Committee meeting (schedules will be posted on the Budget Task Force page); send a comment on the Budget Task Force website; or reach out to a Select Board member. (And if you want to get even more involved, consider joining a committee!)

Access the ClearGov Digital Budget Book.

Meetings

Budget Task Force Meetings start on Tuesday, December 2 at 8:30 am. Scroll down to view upcoming meetings and the full Budget Task Force Calendar.

Members

As per Truro Town Charter Section 7-1-2 (d):

The Budget Task Force shall consist of two (2) members of the Finance Committee, two (2) members of the Select Board, (1) member of the School Committee, (1) member of the School Administration, the Town Accountant and the Town Manager. 

In addition to the members listed in the Charter, the Superintendent, School Administrator for Business and Finance, and Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director shall be in attendance.

Susan Areson, Select Board Representative

Agendas & Minutes

Agendas are available prior to the meetings on the Budget Task Force calendar and Town-wide calendar on the website. Minutes are available following approval. View the previous and most recent agendas and minutes via the calendar below.