Auburn Finance Committee approves $260,000-plus in transfers, launches FY27 budget review

AUBURN -- January 21, 2026, Auburn Finance Committee approves more than $260,000 in transfers and schedules department budget hearings to begin February 25. The committee, chaired by Kevin W. Kennedy, moved through 13 reserve fund and salary transfers at its January 21 meeting, the largest of which was a $50,000 reserve fund transfer to the DPW Fleet Maintenance account after five large vehicles were damaged in a recent snowstorm; DPW Fleet Manager Joanna told the committee some vehicles "should have been replaced two years ago" but are still in service while ordered replacements remain delayed. Three consolidated police salary reserve transfers totaling $134,920 and a $35,000 fire fleet repair transfer, driven by a nearly year-long mechanic absence that forced costly outsourcing, including a $22,000 engine repair, were among the other approvals. Town accountant Karen Haro outlined a budget calendar under which the town manager will recommend an FY27 budget to the Select Board by February 23 before forwarding it to the Finance Committee; members said the new format will, for the first time, show departmental requests and the town manager's recommendation in separate columns. Member Patrick Jones's draft annual report submission, noting Auburn's budget has grown from roughly $27 million to nearly $90 million over 25 years while the tax bill count has risen by only about 1,000, was accepted with minor edits directed at removing two sentences members said read as editorializing.