DOR: Naughty, Naughty

While Fitchburg scrambles to make up for a bad free cash prediction, Leominster is trying to come up with ways to spend all its free cash.

A Telegram story highlights the contrast between the cities today, but it's the information from the state Department of Revenue (which certifies free cash, tax rates and all that good stuff) that is most illuminating (and either funny or depressing, depending on your mood today).

It pretty much speaks for itself, so here it is:

“Free cash is essentially made up of revenues that came in above estimated
revenues and lower than forecast expenditures,” said Department of Revenue
spokesperson Lydia Hill. “Free cash is the result of forecasting tax revenues
responsibly and controlling spending.”

Ms. Hill said the state also recommends cities and towns use free cash for
one-time appropriations, such as capital improvements.

“We always tell communities never to rely on free cash — ever,” she said.