Financial Transparency


Welcome!

In an effort to provide a more inclusive and transparent budget, the Town of Orleans is pleased to present our Financial Transparency portal. The Town partnered with OpenGov to provide a new web-based financial transparency and business intelligence tool that dynamically presents the Town's financial information, from historical trends to line-item level details.


By leveraging the OpenGov platform, residents can use this website to have around-the-clock access and a better understanding of the Town's budget and actual financial data.


There's nothing quite like being able to examine financial data by yourself by viewing charts and graphs or downloading the information into a spreadsheet. This resource is a part of the Town's ongoing effort to enhance transparency and public engagement.


To access the OpenGov Financial Transparency portal, click here or scroll to the bottom of page for the portal link and helpful tips on usage.

FY 2022 Financial Performance


General Fund Revenue


FY 2022 actual performance outpaced initial projections due to a resilient local economy, which was largely driven by a robust housing market and the return of services to pre-COVID levels. Additional funding from the State and Federal Government for COVID/CARES assistance (considered one-time revenue sources) also helped. The drop from FY 2021 to FY 2022 is the direct result of moving to Enterprise Funds for Beaches, Moorings, Rock Harbor, Transfer Station and Sewer operations.

General Fund Expenses


Although post-pandemic costs of core services (both personnel and supply chain) continue to grow at levels that exceed Proposition 2 1/2 constraints, FY 2022 actual expenses were lower than projected due primarily to turnover and the inability to fill open positions. In addition, reimbursements received from the State and Federal Government for COVID pandemic costs resulted in budget turn backs in certain expense line items.

Water Fund Revenue


Earlier seasonal residency and robust home sales contributed to higher usage which drove FY 2022 actual revenues exceeding projections.

Water Fund Expenses


FY 2022 actual expenses were lower than projected due primarily to staffing challenges and the completion of capital projects under budget. he

Enterprise Fund Revenue


Enterprise Funds were adopted in FY 2022 to provide transparency of the true cost of the Beaches, Transfer Station, Moorings, Rock Harbor Boat Basin, and Sewer operations. On an annual basis, the Select Board sets the policy to fund these operations through a composition of funding sources including user fees, tax levy or other available revenue subsidy. For all operating expenses, the Beaches and Mooring operations are funded 100% from user fees. The Rock Harbor Boat Basin operation is currently funded by 61% user fees and a 39% tax levy subsidy. The Transfer Station operation is currently funded by 63% user fees and a 37% tax levy subsidy. The Sewer operations are currently funded by a transfer from the Wastewater Stabilization Fund until the operation is up a running and user fees are being collected (est. FY 2024). For FY 2022, no debt service is being paid from the Enterprise Funds.

Enterprise Fund Expenses


FY 2022 actual expenses were lower than projected due primarily to the close out of budgeted capital surplus, which was expected as it is essentially a savings reserve for future capital expenses. into further detail about the data or media being shown. Think about how the visualizations help tell your story. Make your content more accessible by writing short sentences, choosing words and phrases you’d use when talking to a neighbor, and avoiding jargon.

Community Preservation Act Fund Revenue


Through the imposition of a 3% surcharge on the Town's real estate tax levy, the Community Preservation Act (CPA) provides the Town with funding for open space protection, historic preservation, affordable housing and outdoor recreation. The State, through the Mass. Department of Revenue (DOR), provides supplementary revenue annually which has historically been equal to upwards of 30% of the Town's surcharge.

Community Preservation Act Fund Expenses


At the annual town meeting, the Town adopts a budget for the Community Preservation Act Fund. The budget includes a list of projects as well as other fund related expenses (debt service and administrative expenses). Projects often take more than one year to complete. The above chart illustrates the expenses paid during each fiscal year.

Healthy Financial Reserves Achieved

Adequate financial reserves (a.k.a. savings account or rainy day fund) are critical to a Town's overall fiscal stability by providing a resource to sustain operations during difficult economic periods, as well as protection from unforeseeable risks. Healthy reserves also positively impact a community’s credit rating and, in turn, reduce the overall long-term cost to finance major projects.


In FY 2021, the Select Board adopted a formal reserve policy that established guidelines based on recommendations from industry experts. The policy sets reserve targets and acceptable uses, and Town meeting voted to transfer funds at the May 2021 Annual Town Meeting (FY 2022*) to implement this policy.

FY 2022 Grant Awards

Town departments continue to apply for grant opportunities in an effort to reduce reliance on the tax rate for projects and services. The above list represents grants awarded during FY 2022.

Debt Service


Debt Service represents the annual amount paid from the budget for principal and interest on long and short-term debt.

Capital Projects


The above chart illustrates the FY 2022 expenses paid for significant, multi-year capital projects. These costs are usually funded by debt.

Special Purpose Funds

These include funds given to the Town for a particular purpose - such as endowments, grant receipts, gifts, donations and other special purpose funds that have been adopted by Town Meeting (such as Affordable Housing Trust and Stabilization funds)





2023 Preview


General Fund Revenue - Projection vs. Actual


FY 2023 General Fund Revenue Projections are shown in the LEFT column above, and the FY 2023 Actuals-To-Date are reflected in the RIGHT column.

General Fund Expenses - Budget vs. Actual


FY 2023 General Fund Budgeted Expenses are shown in the LEFT column above, and the FY 2023 Actuals-To-Date are reflected in the RIGHT column.

Water Fund Revenue - Projection vs. Actual


FY 2023 Water Fund Revenue Projections are shown in the LEFT column above, and the FY 2023 Actuals-To-Date are reflected in the RIGHT column.

Water Fund Expenses - Budget vs. Actual


FY 2023 Water Fund Budgeted Expenses are shown in the LEFT column above, and the FY 2023 Actuals-To-Date are reflected in the RIGHT column.

Enterprise Fund Revenue - Projection vs. Actual


FY 2023 Enterprise Fund Revenue Projections are shown in the LEFT column above, and the FY 2023 Actuals-To-Date are reflected in the RIGHT column.

Enterprise Fund Expenses - Budget vs. Actual


FY 2023 Enterprise Fund Budgeted Expenses are shown in the LEFT column above, and the FY 2023 Actuals-To-Date are reflected in the RIGHT column.

Community Preservation Act Fund Revenue - Projection vs. Actual


FY 2023 Community Preservation Act Fund Revenue Projections are shown in the LEFT column above, and the FY 2023 Actuals-To-Date are reflected in the RIGHT column.

Community Preservation Act Fund Expenses - Budget vs. Actual


FY 2023 Community Preservation Act Fund Budgeted Expenses are shown in the LEFT column above, and the FY 2023 Actuals-To-Date are reflected in the RIGHT column.

Other Financial Reports


Please see additional financial reports located on the Town's website here.

Link to Transparency Portal - OpenGov Logo

Tips on Using our OpenGov Portal:

  • The portal allows you to explore budget and historical finances in a simple graphical user interface. The main view includes a chart or graph, a legend and various controls to view revenues and expenses by department.

  • You can access the portal either by the aside link or by clicking in any of the graphs located above.

  • There are five different types of visual representations of the data - an area graph, an area graph by percentage, a line graph, a pie chart and a table. You can change your view at any time by simply selecting the different type of representation. The data will automatically convert. These functions are on the top right.

  • You'll notice the title of the chart or graph you are viewing on the top along with the account type selector. You can use the filter to see the data that is of most interest to you.

  • To focus on specific data - like an expense type, revenue type, or any combination - look to the left and use the menu on the side panel. These selectors allow you to specify exactly what breakdown you want the graph or table to represent. When you select "Filtered By" the data filter pops up and allows you to turn on or turn off selected filters for that category.

  • You can also download the data into a spreadsheet (.csv).

  • You can share the data, in any view, on a social network or by email.
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