Where there are significant differences, we recommend further investigation to determine whether budget cuts or increases might be warranted, or whether we need to develop longer term plans to deal with these areas. Given the current situation where there are no reserves to take care of large capital expenses, it might be wise to reduce spending in areas where there are significant differences and place that money in capital reserve accounts. That way we could begin to prepare for the future, meet current needs, and hold the line on tax increases.
The following table shows a comparison of towns with a population equal or up to 500 more than Ashland. Areas that are significantly above the average are police, culture & recreation, and deb service. Our spending on highways and schools is significantly lower. Our total budget is $1.58 million above the average. Our spending on highways and schools is significantly lower.
| General Government | $607,843 | $512,726 | -$95,116.92 |
| Police | $359,214 | $495,245 | $136,031.22 |
| Fire & Ambulance | $187,241 | $197,704 | $10,463.22 |
| Highways & Streets | $527,390 | $458,097 | -$69,292.89 |
| Sanitation | $226,871 | $141,783 | -$85,088.44 |
| Water Dist & Treatment | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Health & Welfare | $49,443 | $56,116 | $6,673.11 |
| Culture & Recreation | $121,062 | $211,310 | $90,248.33 |
| Conserv/Econ Devel & Housing | $4,868 | $500 | -$4,367.56 |
| Debt Service | $138,590 | $348,649 | $210,059.17 |
| Capital Outlay | $455,412 | $472,349 | $16,937.11 |
| Schools(Local) | $4,834,770 | $3,493,423 | -$1,341,346.56 |
| Schools(State) | $813,939 | $513,829 | -$300,110.33 |
| County | $658,955 | $331,016 | -$327,939.44 |
| Totals | $9,373,647 | $10,953,996 | $1,580,348.78 |
The following table compares Ashland's budget to towns with populations from 1585 to 2085.
| Category | Town Ave | Ashland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Government | $440,941 | $512,726 | $71,785 |
| Police | $248,044 | $495,245 | $247,201 |
| Fire & Ambulance | $248,044 | $495,245 | $247,201 |
| Highways & Streets | $447,338 | $458,097 | $10,759 |
| Sanitation | $172,505 | $141,783 | -$30,722 |
| Water Dist & Treatment | $10,179 | $0 | -$10,179 |
| Health & Welfare | $34,114 | $56,116 | $22,002 |
| Culture & Recreation | $84,732 | $211,310 | $126,578 |
| Conserv/Econ Devel & Housing | $84,732 | $211,310 | $126,578 |
| Debt Service | $92,558 | $348,649 | $256,091 |
| Capital Outlay | $293,100 | $472,349 | $179,249 |
| Schools(Local) | $3,405,231 | $3,493,423 | $88,192 |
| Schools(State) | $744,125 | $513,829 | -$230,296 |
| County | $456,340 | $331,016 | -$125,324 |
| Totals | $6,807,287 | $10,953,996 | $4,146,709 |
The following table compares Ashland's budget to towns with populations from 2085 to 2585.
| Category | Town Ave | Ashland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Government | $290,729 | $512,726 | $221,997 |
| Police | $147,992 | $495,245 | $347,253 |
| Fire & Ambulance | $65,857 | $197,704 | $131,847 |
| Highways & Streets | $375,291 | $458,097 | $82,806 |
| Sanitation | $123,576 | $141,783 | $18,207 |
| Water Dist & Treatment | $19,340 | $0 | -$19,340 |
| Health & Welfare | $20,318 | $56,116 | $35,798 |
| Culture & Recreation | $52,036 | $211,310 | $159,274 |
| Conserv/Econ Devel & Housing | $1,564 | $500 | -$1,064 |
| Debt Service | $51,129 | $348,649 | $297,520 |
| Capital Outlay | $147,020 | $472,349 | $325,329 |
| Schools(Local) | $2,118,646 | $3,493,423 | $1,374,777 |
| Schools(State) | $681,292 | $513,829 | -$167,463 |
| County | $273,986 | $331,016 | $57,030 |
| Totals | $4,497,562 | $10,953,996 | $6,456,434 |
This is very interesting! It should be printed and posted in the Post office, town office, Bobs, and other public places. Taxpayers need this information. Thankyou for your research!
ReplyDelete