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Wellesley residents want to know the facts about this
override. You want to know that your tax dollars are being
managed responsibly and spending is done prudently.
It is critical that all voters really understand what
is driving the town budget and what is behind the revenues and
expenses. When you know FACTS, you will find that..
THIS OVERRIDE MAKES SENSE for the Town of
Wellesley.
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Why do we need an override? |
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The Town of Wellesley needs an additional $3.16 million
from tax revenue to fully fund the Town Meeting-approved Town
budget. Since this is above the limit imposed by Proposition
2˝, voter approval of an override is necessary. The override
vote is in three weeks, on Tuesday, May 16th.
FACT: Multiple financial pressures have pushed costs
for goods and services higher than ever before. From
healthcare to state-mandated special education to contracted
teachers' salaries to heating, the cost of providing services
has increased beyond the ability to fund within the limits of
Proposition 2˝ without an override as provided in the law.
FACT: Insurance costs for town employees will
increase by $1.42 million next year. This is despite every
effort to negotiate the best total package possible and remain
competitive.
FACT: School spending has NOT been out of
control. Spending per pupil for regular education
(non-special education) actually has declined ($7903 in 2002
vs. $7809 in 2005). When adjusted for inflation, this
constitutes a 10% drop in real spending. While
WPS enrollment has increased by 30% since 1996, the
level of service provided has been steadily declining. Budget
increases have been driven by rising teachers' salaries (in
order to remain competitive) and by state- mandated special
education programs. The special education program achieves
great success in meeting the needs of all of our
students. But this state-mandated program is funded primarily
by the town and costs continue to escalate.
FACT: Wellesley needs to fund a current liability:
Health insurance coverage to retired town employees, starting
with $600,000 in FY07. This is a liability we are
currently incurring. Town officials have prudently decided
that we need to start funding this before it becomes an
unwieldy burden on future residents. This year, there is
$600,000 in the budget. The town proposes to increase the
contribution incrementally each year until it meets the
projected $3 million annual liability.
For
more FACTS, click here.....
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Who is
managing our tax dollars? |
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The Town of Wellesley's finances are managed by a team of
individuals who are committed to extracting the most value per
dollar possible while keeping in sharp focus the long term
health and stability of our town.
Led by the Town's Executive Director, Hans Larsen, the
finance group works closely with all Town Boards. Financial
plans and budgets are further scrutinized by the Advisory
Committee and then ultimately validated by Town Meeting.
FACT: Wellesley is managed responsibly and
prudently, as judged by independent authorities.
The Town of Wellesley has maintained a AAA bond rating from
Moody's, a distinction given to only 12 other
municipalities in Massachusetts. Further, Standard &
Poor's has ranked the Wellesley Public School System as an
"outperformer" as a significantly higher percent of our
students scored proficient or above on state reading and math
tests than in other districts with similar demographics.
FACT: Wellesley's expenses and tax increases are
comparable to neighboring towns. Every town in
Massachusetts is facing a similar challenge. In researching
strategies, Town Officials routinely consult their
counter-parts in neighboring towns. The result is that “best
practices” come to light and are employed. In fact, Wellesley
excels in providing a high level of service at a relatively
lower cost:
- Wellesley real estate tax rates are lower than virtually
all comparable surrounding communities - 284th out of 328
towns.
- Wellesley's commercial property tax is even lower -
295th out of 328 towns.
- Wellesley has the second lowest tax rate and a below
average tax bill, compared to all other towns in the
Commonwealth with per capita income greater than $45,000
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QUESTIONS? |
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If you have any questions or outstanding concerns about
this override ballot question, please ask....contact us by
email or... go
to our website.
Voting day is MAY 16th, from 7:00am - 8:00pm.
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Committee for Education in the 21st
Century
