Finance Committee

The Finance Committee is the official financial watchdog of the town.  Because it is difficult for all taxpayers to be completely informed about every aspect of town finances, finance committees were established so a representative group of taxpayers could conduct a thorough review of municipal finance questions on behalf of all citizens.

The primary duties of the committee are to advise and make recommendations at town meeting on budget and other areas of finance.  The committee’s statutory authority is limited to the town meeting approved Reserve Fund budget.  Occasionally, departments may need to incur operating costs not originally planned for when preparing their annual town meeting budget request.  Unexpected department costs may include expenses associated with unanticipated staffing, increased utility and energy consumption rates, and unexpected changes in facility and equipment conditions.  The Finance Committee’s Reserve Fund is used to relieve and assist town departments (exclusive of school accounts) with extraordinary and unforeseen non-budgeted operating costs.  At year-end, remaining non-transferred reserve funds result in town savings.

The Finance Committee is a representative group of Avon taxpayers and are appointed (or re-appointed) by the town moderator.  Town by-law establishes that Finance Committee membership consist of seven (7) voters.