 Steve Felton / Chairman  Mark Scarano / Vice Chairman  Susan MacLeod / Secretary  Anne Abear  Jeanette Stewart The CIP Committee

 To prepare and recommend a 10 year plan on anticipated capital project needs and costs to help the governing bodies and budget committee as well as the town residents to better plan for anticipated future capital costs. Purpose of the Capital Improvement Program

3 Ashland CIP Update 2013  What has been accomplished?  What will be the next steps?  Why we need to plan for the future?

 Expertise and input of Department Heads  Depreciation tables of all town assets  Master Plan direction and needs  Templates and information other municipalities have used to prepare their CIP plans  Data on past and estimated future operating budget needs to create a picture of potential future budget costs Tools to Use

 Meet with each of the governing bodies of the town to include Select Board, School, Utility Commissioners and Library Trustees to discuss purpose and process  Have the Department Heads prepare a 10 year capital project needs list to include reason, priority, estimated cost, year of need, and supporting information What is the Process ?

 Work with each Department Head to refine and expand information submitted  Review other tools mentioned to construct a 10 year spreadsheet of estimated capital costs  Prepare recommendations by year for the Budget Committee and governing boards What is the Process ?

 Develop previous 10 year trend and future 10 year estimate of operating budgets to create a clear picture of future needs, their estimated costs, and anticipated cost to taxpayers.  Create a financial picture that includes operating budgets, capital needs budgets, and factoring in state, county, federal, and education costs to allow for better long term planning What is the Process ?

 Town  School  Sewer  Water  Electric  Total 10 year Capital Project Costs $5,559,810 $312,400 $3,107,500 $797,000 $575,387 $10,352,097

 See 2014 Handout Review 2014 Recommendations

 Impact on property tax burden  Growing assessed value of town  Thinking “out of the box” for solutions  Pursuing regional cooperation  Potential long term bond needs for water and sewer  Creating an action plan for pursuing grants  Leveraging our financial situation, demographics and size for additional state and federal funds Issues to Consider

 Input additional information needed  Create worksheet with history of expenses  Create estimated revenue projections  Create estimated operating expense projections  Present additional information to governing bodies and public Next Steps

 To maintain/create a financial vision for Ashland  To maintain financial stability  To save for known expenses  To help stabilize tax rates  To be prepared for changes in state, county or federal funding Planning for the Future