Barnstable Town Manager Mark Ells
BARNSTABLE – Towns across the Cape are waiting to learn more about how they will be affected by the state’s decision to increase local aid by $40 million.
Governor Charlie Baker has announced that his Fiscal Year 2018 budget proposal includes the unrestricted local aid to towns across the state, representing 100 percent of the rate of increase of projected tax growth.
“We’re not heavily reliant on these funds to manage our schools or our municipal government, though it’s always welcome, certainly when it’s an increase,” said Barnstable Town Manager Mark Ells.
Plans include $8.8 million in local funding and grant package for municipalities, including $4 million for Community Compact grants and $2.8 million for the District Local Technical Assistance Program.
Ells welcomes that state money but said that it won’t have a big impact on how they operate.
“It doesn’t have a big impact on us unless it’s a cut and unless it’s a cut to a program that’s significant,” said Ells.
The state has also announced an increase of over $91 million in Chapter 70 funding, totaling over $4.7 billion in total aid to public schools.
That also includes an increase of at least $20 per pupil to all 322 operating districts.
By JUSTIN SAUNDERS, CapeCod.com Newscenter
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