There are many questions regarding how towns should move forward with local municipal and education budget processes under
Executive Order 7I
.
COST is working with CCM, the CT Bar Association, and various municipal attorneys to develop guidance for towns to assist them in moving forward, including guidance on holding electronic meetings.
In addition, we are working with the Governor's Office to address questions and concerns that have arisen relative to the Executive Order, including the adoption of regional school budgets.
With respect to regional school district budgets,
Executive Order 7I
, #14, r
equires Regional Boards of Education to adopt a budget for the July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021 fiscal year without complying with any in-person budget adoption requirements, including annual district budget meetings requiring votes, referendum, and special district meetings.
In addition, the Executive Order requires the Regional Boards of Education to comply with the public meeting requirements set forth in Executive Order 7B and take all reasonable steps to publicize the proposed budget and receive public comment, including publishing draft budgets on the website and providing an email address or other means for the public to submit timely comments on the proposed budget.
Given this directive, COST is concerned that regional boards of education may adopt budgets without any input from their local boards of finance and selectmen. Please let us know if you share this concern or if you have other concerns and whether your regional board of education has reached out to you regarding the adoption of the budget. This issue may be revisited in a future EO or guidance document.
Also, please let us know if you have any other questions regarding the EO(s). And, if you have tips to share regarding holding electronic meetings to ensure public comment, please let us know.
Thank you.
Betsy Gara
COST
860-841-7350
bgara@ctcost.org
.
