The Holbrook City Council met on Nov. 27 and gave their approval for the alternative expenditure limitation, or Home Rule, to go forward to the voters in a March 12 primary election.
The measure is presented every four years to allow the city to extend its spending capabilities beyond the limit imposed by the state. It in effect, allows the city to match expenditures according to the revenues it receives.
“The measure does not increase taxes and anything like that. It basically states that we are allowed to set our own budget and our own expenditure limit based on what our revenues and expenses are and not by somebody in the state legislature,” explained Finance Director Randy Sullivan.
He noted that last year’s budget would have been nearly $650,000 over what the state would have required. “I work backwards on the budget. I don’t start with expenses on what we want and what we need. You start with the revenue side and back your expenses into that to come up with a balanced budget,” stated Sullivan. That amount can change from year to year, depending on what each year’s revenues are. If the measure is approved by the voters, it would be in place for the next four years.
