County is asking for your support at the Annual Town Meetings

Please consider speaking up in support of the following funding requests at annual town meetings:

Oak Bluffs - April 11th at 7pm MV Regional Hight School - PAC - Articles 24. & 25.

Edgartown - April 11th at 7pm Whaling Church - Articles 40. & 41.

County Revenue Replacement

Edgartown – Article 40.    Oak Bluffs – Article 24.

Due to rising costs and limitation on raising funds through taxation, the projected county budget shortfall for FY2024 is $42,000. Edgartown share is $17,001; Oak Bluffs share is $6,670. As per unaudited calculation of FY2022 surplus there will be approximately $225,000 back to the towns in form of credit on their May 2023 county assessment, the town shares:  Edgartown credit back $81,913; Oak Bluffs credit back $29,414. These should more than offset the county request for revenue replacement.

History - In recent years substantial portion of the county assessment was credited back to the towns (mainly thanks to high deeds excise tax revenue during the pandemic).  FY2020 credit was $234,663.80, FY2021 credit $385,208.  The practice of returning surplus funds to the towns leaves the county with only approx. $54K as “free cash” available for any emergencies and unforeseen expenses. Along with another $50,405 in a stabilization fund.

Explanation - This request is “replacing” the allocation of overhead request. Last year the requested $65,085 was approved in all towns but West Tisbury.  This also better reflects the fact that Dukes County general administration (County Manager’s Office and County Treasurer’s Office) takes care of all the following NON-MANDATED regional programs and initiatives that benefit the towns:

In-house (we manage staff, house the programs and provide all support services):

• Dukes County Health Care Access Program
• Dukes County Public Benefits Access (formerly DC Social Services)
• Procurement of heating oil for all municipal buildings (on behalf of Town Administrators)
• Procurement of dog tags for all towns (on behalf of Town Clerks)
• Shellfish Propagation Grant (benefits the MV Shellfish Group and local shellfish departments)
• Prescription Fund (donations to help people to pay for medical prescriptions)
• Veterans Fund (donations to help veterans in need)

The County is happy to continue to provide these services to the towns. However, with the 2 ½ % restrictions on increase of the general county assessment, there is a need for submission of this request that represents supplement to the county revenue to balance the general county budget.

Upgrades for the Health Care Access building

Edgartown Article 41. - $66,260  Oak Bluffs - Article 25. $42,880

The cost of planned upgrades to the Health Care Access building is approx. $200,000. Edgartown's share is $66,260; Oak Bluffs share is $42,880. The plans are already done which will increase privacy for people coming to discuss their health & life situation; upgrade heat from kerosene to mini-splits and improve lighting in the more private spaces. As stated above the town will be receiving unanticipated funding from the county that can cover the majority of this request. More information about the planned upgrades are in the attached document.

For more information about these requests please visit the county website here. Feel free to reach out to the county manager with any questions. manager@dukescounty.org 508-696-3840