Public Annual Financial Report (PAFR)

 

 

 

Town Manager’s Annual Budget & Financial Plan  

In accordance with Section 32 of the Town Manager Act; the Town Manager must annually submit a budget to the Select Board. Arlington has had a long tradition of developing a performance based budget that clearly defines departmental goals and objectives and includes detailed trend analysis and long-term projections. The annual operating and capital budgets are submitted as part of the Town Manager’s Annual Budget & Financial Plan. It is important to note that the financial and budgetary information presented in the Annual Budget & Financial Plan are projections and are subject to change prior to Town Meeting. 

 

Annual Town Report
In accordance with Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 40, Section 49, the Town of Arlington prepares, and makes public, an Annual Town Report prior to Town Meeting. The Annual Report includes some of the financial information found in the Town Manager’s Annual Budget and Financial Plan, but not as detailed. The Report focuses more on significant accomplishments of the previous calendar year and goals for the current annual year. The Annual Report also includes reports from major boards and committees, election results, Town Meeting information, and a Town Directory. View annual reports at arlingtonma.gov/annualreports.

 

School Budgets

The School Budget is the largest department budget in the Town. The budget is funded at Annual Town Meeting at the same time as other Town budgets. The School Budget is detailed and includes very specific school department information. As a result, the School Budget is available for review as a separate document. View School budget information.

 

 

Annual Audits
The Town of Arlington annually contracts with a private auditing firm for the purposes of auditing the Town’s accounts, funds and preparing financial statements for all governmental activities. The audit is conducted in accordance with the applicable standards contained in the Government Auditing Standards, which is issued by the Comptroller General of the United States.  View audited financial statements.

 

Finance Committee Reports
The Finance Committee was established by vote of the Town over a century ago on March 7, 1895. At that time, Article 33 provided for the selection of a “committee of twenty-one,” which would consider all articles in the warrant involving an appropriation of money and “make report thereof in print, with their estimates and recommendations for final action of the Town.” Consistent with the Committee’s charge, the Finance Committee prepares an report to Town Meeting. The report contains detailed budgetary information and recommendations from the committee on specific Warrant Articles that require or request an appropriation of funds.
View Finance Committee Reports to Town Meeting.

 

Capital Planning Committee Reports
The Capital Planning Committee was established by the 1986 Arlington Town Meeting to assist the Town Manager in preparing a multi-year capital plan. The Capital Planning Committee prepares a report to Town Meeting that contains detailed financial information relating to Arlington’s multi-year Capital Improvement Program.
View Capital Planning Committee Reports.

 

Property Tax and Assessment Data
The Board of Assessors prepares the tax rate based on the assessed values of residential, commercial, industrial and personal property throughout the Town on an annual basis. In late November or December, the Select Board holds a tax classification hearing for the purposes of setting the tax rate. Read detailed information tax rate information.

 

In the above video, AMCi speaks with Arlington Director of Assessors, Paul Tierney about excise and property assessments in Arlington. Originally broadcast January 2019. View the "Your Arlington Dollar - Paul Tierney" video.

Official Statements

During FY2021, $77,845,000 in General Obligation Municipal Purpose Loan of 2021 Bonds included $21,500,000 for the DPW and Town Facilities renovation and construction, $51,606,000 for the second portion of Arlington High School renovation and construction, and other equipment and improvement projects as voted by the Annual Town Meeting as described in the Official Statement dated February 18, 2021.

During FY2020, $66,190,000 in General Obligation Municipal Purpose Loan of 2019 Bonds for Capital and a portion of the Arlington High School were issued December 4, 2019 as described in the Official Statement dated November 19, 2019.

During FY2019, $5,555,000 in General Obligation Municipal Purpose Loan of 2018 Bonds for Capital were issued December 6, 2018 as described in the Official Statement dated November 8, 2018.

Supporting Documents

Long Range Plan