Finance Committee approves $7,500 for emergency elections
Finance Committee approves emergency elections funding while adopting new budget software. Chair Jodi Harris guided unanimous approval of a $7,500 line-item transfer to cover two special elections triggered by an elected official's passing. The committee adopted ClearGov budget software at a
Finance Committee · Meeting of January 13, 2026
ESSEX — Finance Committee approves emergency elections funding while adopting new budget software. Chair Jodi Harris guided unanimous approval of a $7,500 line-item transfer to cover two special elections triggered by an elected official's passing. The committee adopted ClearGov budget software at a discounted $2,500 trial rate for FY26, with a full annual cost of $5,000, replacing a legacy spreadsheet system no longer maintainable.
Looming larger: the committee flagged an estimated $2–3 million in accumulated sewer-betterment interest and Essex's approximately $6 million share of a Gloucester secondary treatment facility upgrade, requiring further coordination with DPW Commissioners and a recommendation to the Board of Selectmen.
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Source: the Finance Committee meeting of January 13, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
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