“Sensible budget framework includes measurable outcomes”

Published: Oct 10, 2025 12:03 AM.

East Lyme will soon sail into the turbulent budget waters created by President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Our State Comptroller concluded that the act would decimate the state budget. Millions in state funding to towns like East Lyme are in jeopardy. How could East Lyme accommodate this looming budget shortfall? The current budget format — a listing of over 170 individual line item expenses — will not suffice.

If we adopt the budget format used successfully by the 2025 Capital Improvement Committee, the 2026-27 Town and Board of Education (BOE) budgets would specify how every penny in their budgets benefited taxpayers. This improved, more accountable format would have three parts. Part 1 would outline fixed costs like salaries. In part 2, agencies would tie budget increases to specific outcomes. If the Fire Department budgeted for a new rescue boat, their budget would show how the boat enabled faster and safer rescues. In Part 3 agencies would append measurable outcomes to their overall budget request. The BOE, for example, could include school improvement plans showing how their $60 million-plus budget would advance students’ performances in all grade levels.

Taxpayers could vote on the budget based on results. That’s how democracy works best. Voters make informed decisions on matters of importance to them and their communities.

Barry Sheckley, East Lyme

Editor's note: The writer is a Democratic candidate for East Lyme Board of Finance.