The fiscal and budget year of the Town shall begin on the first
day of January and end on the 31st day of December unless other dates
shall be fixed by action of the Town Council.
At such time as may be requested by the Manager or specified
by the Administrative Code, each officer or director of a department
shall submit an itemized estimate of the expenditures for the next
fiscal year for the departments or activities under his control to
the Manager. The Manager shall, based on these estimates and other
data, prepare a recommended budget which he shall, together with these
department estimates, submit to the Council on such date as the Council
shall establish. The Council shall review the budget for the following
fiscal year and make such modifications and amendments as it desires.
A.
Number of hearings. The Town Council shall hold in convenient places
as many public hearings on the budget as it deems necessary, but at
least two public hearings on the budget shall be scheduled at least
14 days before its final adoption by the Budgetary Town Meeting at
such time and place, convenient to the public, as the Council shall
direct.
B.
Notice of budget hearings.
(1)
Notice of such public hearing and Budgetary Town Meeting, together
with a copy of the budget as submitted, shall be posted in two public
places.
(2)
A copy of the budget shall be available to the public at the office
of the Town Clerk during regular business hours.
(3)
In addition, notice of such public hearing and Budgetary Town Meeting
shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the Town
at least one week prior to said meeting by the Town Clerk.
[Amended 3-10-2015]
The budget shall be brought before the Town Meeting in March,
on a date fixed by the Council.
At the beginning of each quarterly period during the fiscal
year, and more often if required by the Council, the Manager or his
designee shall submit to the Council data showing the relations between
the estimated and actual income and expenses to date, together with
outstanding indebtedness and estimated future expenses; and if it
shall appear that the income is less than anticipated, the Manager,
with Council approval, may reduce the appropriation for any item or
items in the budget, except amounts required for debt, interest charges,
and other fixed costs, to such a degree as may be necessary to keep
expenditures within the cash income. At any time, the Manager may
provide for monthly or quarterly allotments of appropriations to departments,
funds, or agencies under such rules, as he shall prescribe.
After the budget has been adopted, no money shall be drawn from
the treasury of the Town nor shall any obligation for the expenditure
of money be incurred except pursuant to a budget appropriation. The
head of any department, with the approval of the Manager, may transfer
any unspent balance or any portion thereof from one fund or agency
within his department to another fund or agency within his department.
The Manager, with the approval of the Council, may transfer any unspent
balance or any portion thereof from one department to another.
A.
Town Manager, after consultation with the Planning Board, shall prepare
and submit to the Council a capital improvement plan at least one
month prior to the final date for submission of the budget. The capital
improvement program shall include:
(1)
A clear summary of its contents;
(2)
A list of all capital improvements including major replacements which
are proposed to be undertaken during the next six fiscal years, including
but not limited to equipment, sewer and water mains or facilities,
roads, sidewalks, bicycle paths or lanes, public open spaces and recreation
facilities, new police and/or fire stations, and other new public
facilities, and major items of equipment, with appropriate supporting
information as to the necessity for such improvements;
(3)
Cost estimates, methods of financing, and recommended time schedule
for each such improvement; and
(4)
The estimated annual cost of operating and maintaining the facilities
to be constructed or acquired.
B.
The Capital Improvement Plan shall be based on a period of not less
than six years and shall include reference to or be influenced by,
where appropriate, the Town Master/Comprehensive Plan.
C.
The above information may be revised and extended each year with
regard to capital improvements still pending or in process of construction
or acquisition.
D.
The Town Council and Town of Bedford Planning Board shall meet annually
in preparation for and review of the Capital Improvement Plan in a
manner determined from time to time by the Town Council.
E.
A summary of the updated Capital Improvement Plan with estimated
costs shall be included in the Town Report, and such portion of the
current year costs the Council deems appropriate may be included in
the Town budget.
Every appropriation, except an appropriation for a capital expenditure
or dedicated funds, shall lapse at the close of the fiscal year to
the extent that it has not been expended or encumbered. An appropriation
for a capital expenditure shall continue in force until the purpose
for which it was made has been accomplished or abandoned.
The Council shall approve to the Treasurer the depository or
depositories for Town funds and shall provide for the timely deposit
of all Town monies. The Council may require such security for Town
deposits as it deems necessary, except that personal surety bonds
shall not be deemed proper security.
Any Town officer elected or appointed by authority of this Charter
shall be bonded in an amount as required by state law or dictated
by prudent fiscal practice for the faithful performance of the duties
of his office. The Manager and all officers receiving or disbursing
Town funds shall be so bonded. All official bonds shall be corporate
surety bonds, and the premiums thereon shall be paid by the Town.
Such bonds shall be filed with the Town Clerk.
[Amended 9-11-2012]
All borrowing of money for any purpose within the scope of the
powers vested in the Town and the issuance of bonds, notes or other
evidence of indebtedness of the Town shall be in accordance with the
procedures prescribed in the Municipal Finance Act, RSA Chapter 33.
[Amended 3-10-2015]
A.
Definition. The acquisition of any and all equipment, materials,
supplies and services using funds of the Town or in the fiduciary
custody of the Town shall be deemed "public procurements."
B.
Procurement Policy. The Council shall adopt a Procurement Policy
which shall establish purchasing and contracting procedures that shall
apply to all departments. The policy shall ensure prudent use of Town
resources, foster fair competition among providers and encourage cooperative
purchasing among departments and with other governmental entities.
C.
Purchasing agent. The Town Manager shall be the purchasing agent
of the Town and shall ensure compliance with the Procurement Policy
adopted by the Council. He or his designee shall approve all procurements,
purchase orders and contracts in a manner consistent with the policy.
D.
Policy waivers. The Council may, by affirmative vote of five of its
members, waive any requirements of the Procurement Policy it deems
appropriate to special circumstances, provided it publicly states
and documents the circumstances warranting waiver and its reasons
therefor.
A.
Conditions allowing special assessment. When it appears, either by
resident petition or Council deliberation, that a capital public improvement
project should be defrayed in part or whole by special assessment,
the Council shall have the authority subject to state law to undertake
such project.
B.
Public hearing on special assessments. The Council shall hold a public
hearing on the project prior to enacting any special assessment resolution.
(1)
Such resolution shall state the estimated cost of the project(s),
the proportion to be borne by special assessment, and the proportion
to be borne by Town revenues, and shall not exceed $20,000 of Town
revenues per year without prior approval of the Town Council.
(2)
The resolution shall designate the areas of the Town or the premises
on which the special assessment shall be levied and the conditions
of payment of the levy.
A.
Trustees of the trust funds. There shall be three Trustees of the
trust funds who shall hold office for three years and until their
successors are elected and qualified on a staggered basis so that
one Trustee is elected at each Town election. They shall have all
the powers and duties granted to Trustees of trust funds by this Charter
and state law.
B.
Investments. Trust funds, except where otherwise provided by the
instrument creating such trust, shall be kept separate and apart from
all other funds and shall be invested by the Trustees in legal investments.
C.
Vacancy. In the event of a vacancy in office, the Council shall fill
such vacancy by appointment, such appointment to be effective until
a successor to fill the unexpired term is elected at the next Town
election and is then qualified to serve.
