Delegates open hearings on two budget ordinances and refer $347,731 courthouse chiller appropriation to finance committee

The Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates opened public hearings on two budget ordinances and referred a new capital appropriation to the finance committee during a brief meeting in early 2026.

Ordinance 2026-03 would authorize a $70,000 transfer within the county’s FY2026 operating budget to cover general fund operations. The public hearing on that item was opened and closed with no public speakers. Ordinance 2026-04 would authorize a $200,000 supplemental appropriation to the FY2026 operating budget to fund a federal indirect, internal indirect and external rate study; its public hearing also closed with no speakers.

Clerk Fletcher told delegates that the board of commissioners submitted a separate proposed ordinance, Ordinance 2026-05, to appropriate $347,731 from the capital stabilization fund for first-district courthouse chiller underground piping replacement. Under the Assembly’s rules, Clerk Fletcher said the item will be referred to the standing finance committee for review and a written report. "The finance committee is currently planning to hold its next meeting remotely at 4 p.m. this coming Monday, February 9, and will consider Ordinances 2026-03, 2026-04 and this new 2026-05," Clerk Fletcher said.

Why it matters: Ordinance 2026-03 would move limited operating dollars within the adopted FY2026 budget; Ordinance 2026-04 would fund an administrative rate study that could affect the county’s indirect-cost allocations. Ordinance 2026-05 would fund a capital repair at the first district courthouse; the referral means delegates will review the item at the finance committee before any Assembly vote.

Other calendar items: Clerk Fletcher also announced the economic affairs committee plans to meet remotely at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, February 11 to consider home rule petition 2026-01 on a high-value real estate transfer fee. Delegate Harder separately said she will ask the Assembly next week to write a letter supporting Sea Grant funding for WHOI.

Ending: No ordinance received a final Assembly vote at this meeting; Ordinances 2026-03, 2026-04 and 2026-05 will next be considered at the finance committee meeting scheduled by the clerk.