In this episode, we are taking a mini detour from the nuts and bolts of Advocacy to focus on the financial component of public library building projects. While many projects like these have a combination of funding sources- municipal funding, grants, private fundraising, etc., most of the conversation revolves around the impact on taxes. In order to understand the landscape of local taxes in Massachusetts, we reached out to the Division of Local Services (DLS).  Sean Cronin, the Senior Deputy Commissioner of DLS, provides a primer on this topic and discusses the resources and tools available on the DLS website, which can be [email protected]/DLS. Additional links include:

Municipal Finance Training and Resource Center: https://www.mass.gov/resource/municipal-finance-training-and-resource-center

Municipal Finance Training and Resource Center – Capital Planning, Forecasting:
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/municipal-financial-management-training-and-resources#capital-planning-

Municipal Finance Training and Resource Center – Debt and Borrowing: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/municipal-debt-and-borrowing-training-and-resources

Municipal Finance Trend Dashboard: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/municipal-finance-trend-dashboard

Municipal Finance Snapshot Dashboard: https://www.mass.gov/news/dls-introduces-new-municipal-finance-snapshot-dashboard

State House Notes and Other Borrowing Guidelines: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/state-house-note-program-and-other-borrowing-guidelines