Representatives of island organizations expressed similar concerns in budget cuts and requests for Fiscal Year 2021.
Departments were invited to share their thoughts and requests through the telecommunication Budget Work Session held by the Town Council on Monday, June 15. The departments reviewed by the council included: Block Island Health Services, Island Free Library, Block Island Volunteer Fire and Rescue, Block Island Early Learning Center, Senior Advisory Committee, National Alliance on Mental Illness Block Island, Block Island School, and the Visitor Center.
Senior Advisory Committee
The budget for Fiscal Year 2020 was $23,100, with the town recommending the group be level-funded for 2021 at $23,100.
Senior Advisory Committee Co-Chair Sandra Kelly told the council she hoped that the line item could be restored to their original request of $28,000. “I just want to say we requested $28,000. I would like to request from the Senior Advisory Committee, if there would be some monies to return us to $28,000 or as close to that as possible,.” said Kelly, who added that the reduced funding “will limit covering our senior ride service, our exercise programs, social programs. We would certainly appreciate a little more funding.”
National Alliance on Mental
